Excellencies,
Distinguished members of the Confidentiality Commission,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Twenty-Seventh Annual Meeting of the Commission for the Settlement of Disputes Related to Confidentiality.
I extend a special welcome to the new members joining the Commission this year.
I hope you will find your membership to be an engaging and fruitful endeavour.
Distinguished members,
The stringent regime for handling confidential information underpins the robust verification mechanisms of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The Confidentiality Commission is a vital element in upholding the regime.
Every year, a report is provided to the Conference of the States Parties on the implementation of the regime governing the handling of confidential information by the Secretariat.
This report gives the States Parties an overview of all actions undertaken with respect to maintaining and strengthening the protection of sensitive and confidential information.
As such, it provides transparency, trust and confidence with respect to the effective implementation of the Confidentiality Regime.
Distinguished members,
The annual meeting of the Confidentiality Commission is essential to ensure that its members continue to have a high level of preparedness to handle any disputes that may arise.
As part of that preparedness, a mock scenario exercise is conducted each year. Such exercises are vital for thoroughly testing all areas of dispute settlement, and for ensuring familiarity with the procedures in the event of a dispute.
This year, the exercise will focus on two important modes of dispute resolution: fact-finding and mediation.
Following the successful mock scenario exercise at your annual meeting last year, representatives from the Permanent Court of Arbitration, the PCA, in The Hague will once again assist us.
This collaboration provides members with a unique opportunity to engage with colleagues from the PCA, and to benefit from their insights and assistance.
The mock scenario exercise will also inform your discussions regarding the procedures under which the Commission operates.
In addition to their support for the mock scenario, the PCA also provides the critical function of an independent registry to the Commission in the event of a dispute.
This is important for preserving the Commission’s impartiality and independence, as well as the perception thereof.
During your meeting, you will receive more information about the Registry Agreement, signed in 1998, between the PCA and the OPCW, and you will gain an understanding of the support which the PCA provides to the Confidentiality Commission in the event of a dispute.
I wish to acknowledge my appreciation for the assistance provided by the PCA and I trust that you will find this to be a worthwhile and engaging session.
Distinguished members,
As physical and cyber security threats continue to evolve, the Secretariat is increasing its resilience and preparedness.
Emerging technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, present new risks and opportunities.
It is essential that the Commission is in a position to make use of these possibilities to augment its work, while preparing for potential challenges.
This is reflected in the discussion regarding the continuity of the work of the Commission in extraordinary circumstances during last year’s meeting, a topic to which I am sure you will return during your discussions this week.
Distinguished members,
This year, for the first time, members of the Confidentiality Commission will be able to visit the OPCW’s Centre for Chemistry and Technology, the CCT, as part of the annual meeting.
The CCT opened in May 2023, in the presence of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, and it truly strengthens the capabilities of the OPCW and its Member States to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.
During your tour of the Centre, you will gain a greater understanding of the work of the Technical Secretariat in relation to sampling and analysis, designated laboratories, and the confidentiality requirements surrounding these and other activities.
I trust that you will find this visit informative and relevant.
Distinguished members,
With your broad range and depth of expertise in the fields of international law, diplomacy, and disarmament, I am confident that the Confidentiality Commission is well-equipped to fulfil its responsibilities if and when called upon.
The Technical Secretariat stands ready to assist you in discharging your duties.
Before closing, I wish to acknowledge your valuable contributions to the work of the Commission.
I am confident that, once again, your diverse areas of knowledge and international experience will prove instrumental in the tasks ahead of you as Commission members.
I would also like to seize this opportunity to thank those members who are serving their final term for their dedication and contributions.
Your diligence and commitment have helped to ensure that the Commission is well equipped to respond promptly and effectively whenever required.
Finally, I thank the Technical Secretariat staff, both in the Main Building and at the CCT, for their efforts in organising this meeting, and I am sure that they will provide all the support you may need.
I wish you all an engaging and constructive session and every success in your important work, and I look forward to learning of the outcomes of your deliberations.
Thank you for your kind attention.