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: In the framework of promoting international partnership frameworks with regional and global organizations, the Executive Office for control and non-proliferation (EOCN) has received His Excellency Fernando Arias, Director General of the organization for the Prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) during the period from September 13 to 14, 2023. The visit, which is the first of its kind in the region, reflects the close cooperation between the UAE and the OPCW in implementing the provisions of the chemical weapons convention (CWC) and enhances the mission of the OPCW in its quest to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.

The visit is deemed a valuable opportunity to review and discuss the strengthening of existing and future bilateral cooperation prospects between the OPCW and the parties concerned with the implementation of the chemical weapons convention. This is to reflect the commitment of the United Arab Emirates in the implementation of CWC provisions, especially in the field of enhancing chemical security and safety, capacity-building, supporting the achievement of the OPCW objectives aimed at destroying and combating chemical weapons and terrorism, not to mention introducing the efforts of the UAE  in combating the use, manufacture and proliferation of chemical weapons as well as other efforts exerted at the national and international levels in facing the challenges of chemical pollution.

During his visit, the Director-General of the OPCW held official meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority (NCEMA), Vertiglobe Company, “the strategic partnership between "ADNOC" and "OCI Global"”, the Regional Secretariat of the  European Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear substances Centre of Excellence (EU CBRN CoE) of the GCC at the Ministry of Interior (MOI)  and the Civil Defense Academy of the MOI, the EOCN (the National Committee representing the UAE in the OPCW), and the General Directorate of civil defense in the emirate of Dubai. The meetings have also considered the objectives of the CWC and the aspects of cooperation among parties, expressing 100% of the commitment of the member states of the convention (193 countries) to get rid of the declared chemical weapons. The gathering has also marked the Nobel Peace Prize received by OPCW in 2013 in recognition of its efforts.

The delegation visited the operations rooms and reviewed the national capacities in respect to the readiness of concerned authorities to respond to chemical incidents. Mr. Fernando has expressed his gratitude for this visit and appreciation of the national efforts and capabilities, incident response plans, rehabilitation and training in the UAE, which consider the implementation of international best practices in various related fields. He also referred to the organization's aspiration for close cooperation and exchange of experiences, especially in capacity building programs at the regional level.  Mr. Fernando extended an invitation to visit the OPCW center for Chemistry and technology in The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands, established to address challenges related to peace and security, enhance chemical security, promote chemistry for peaceful purposes and strengthen international cooperation through training and capacity - building.

For his part, H. E. Talal Al-Tunaiji, Director of the EOCN, praised the valuable visit made by the director general of the OPCW to the UAE, stressing the leading role of the organization and its outstanding efforts in finding peaceful solutions to disputes through the disarmament and Prohibition of the use of chemical weapons and the destruction of their stockpile, which amounted to 100% of the declared chemical weapons stockpile in accordance with the verification system of the organization.

Al-Tunaiji added: "The visit of the chairman of the organization for the Prohibition of chemical weapons reflects the close and continuous cooperation between the UAE and the organization in accordance with its commitment to the convention, signed by the UAE on February 2, 1993 and ratified by the Country on February 28, 2000.  H. E. Talal Al-Tunaiji pointed out that the UAE has issued the necessary national legislations to implement the convention at the national level to support the achievement of its objectives and provisions, in addition to partnership with the organization in organizing workshops and conferences, the latest of which was the workshop held in February 2023 on chemical safety and security, attended by representatives from Asian member states of the OPCW  in order to enhance peaceful uses of chemistry ".

It is noteworthy that the organization for the Prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW), together with its 193 states parties, oversee the global effort to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. The CWC has become one of the most successful treaties for disarmament and combating weapons of mass destruction since its entry into force in 1997.