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The Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation (EOCN) held the Chemical weapons convention and chemical safety and security management for member states of the OPCW in the Asia Region. The event was prepared in partnership with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and lasted for three days from the seventh to the ninth of February.

The seminar was also attended by H.E. Jamal Al Musharrakh, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the UAE Permanent Representative to the OPCW, as part of a series of programs organized by the OPCW in cooperation with Member States. The UAE has been keen to participate actively in these efforts to exchange experiences in order to achieve the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, especially Article X on assistance and protection against chemical weapons and Article XI, which deals with economic and technological development. This has been based on the UAE belief in the importance of strengthening and consolidating the concept of chemical security and safety.

His Excellency Talal Al Teneiji, Director of the EOCN Office said in his opening speech at the forum: "The rapid changes require all of us to adapt them to continuous cooperation and exchange of experiences and expertise to ensure the existence of an integrated structure of legislations, regulations and capabilities.

This is what the UAE is keen to achieve and is reflected in national legislations with constant endeavors to strengthen partnerships at the national, regional and international levels and to adopt best practices and experiences that support the achievement of expected compliance. The best example for the same is the close cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which spares no effort in supporting member states to implement the provisions of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and the destruction of the stockpiles thereof." 

He further explained: "During the days of the forum, we will witness learning and benefiting from each other's experiences and expertise, and will cover examples of legal frameworks with regard to hazardous materials, in addition to scenarios for dealing with chemical accidents and emerging threats, chemical security and safety, and the role of customs department and concerned authorities in controlling dual-use chemicals. We also look forward to strengthening future joint cooperation by agreeing on joint capacity-building programs and exchanging experiences - given the importance of this in supporting international trade exchange, enhancing cooperation in combating the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their financing, and implementing the best practices and controls that all countries seek to enforce, and which the Security Council calls for in its resolution 1540 (2004), as well as other international conventions, including the Chemical Weapons Convention.”

Al Teneiji added: "Because we appreciate the active role of international organizations, the Executive Office for Control and Non-Proliferation is keen to coordinate with national authorities to achieve the requirements of the Convention as the National Committee representing the UAE in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Since the UAE's accession to the OPCW in December 2000, it has seen the effectiveness of the organization’s role through meetings, conferences, capacity-building programs and, most importantly, the role played by the organization in creating various channels of communication to facilitate what is expected of all National Committees, which undoubtedly ultimately serves to achieve the lofty goal of "a world free of chemical weapons and therefore of weapons of mass destruction".

From this standpoint, the efforts of the Organization were valued in receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in October 2013, where the world affirmed its determination to work for effective progress towards complete disarmament, and the destruction of 99% of the declared chemical weapons stockpile is an important step in implementing the provisions of the Convention's obligations towards achieving a world free of chemical weapons”.

H.E. Jamal Al Musharrakh, UAE Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the OPCW, said: "I am delighted to join you in witnessing together the Asian Regional Forum on Chemical Safety and Security of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The gathering was organized in conjunction with the OPCW and our two working groups in The Hague and here in the EOCN and coincides with the coming Fifth Review Conference. The United Arab Emirates, as an Asian State party to the Organization, bears its full responsibility under the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and specifically in support of articles X and XI of the Convention.

As we meet today to discuss best practices and share experiences and researches together in order to put an end to any potential risks or accidents arising from the misuse of chemicals, we emphasize the great importance of the UAE role in respect to cooperation and synergy and opening channels of dialogue between countries in order to ensure the required change towards a better future for humanity, in the hope of benefiting all in the presence of experts during the works of the Forum "

Mr. Massimo de Renzo, Director of Programs of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has delivered a speech on behalf of the Director-General of OPCW, stating: "Our participation in the organization of this forum is part of the (OPCW keenness to support its objective represented in enhancing technical and economic development, and providing various training opportunities in the management of chemical safety and security to build the capabilities of members states , in particular, those whose economies are growing rapidly. As the destruction of declared stockpiles of chemical weapons is approaching the completion stage, the OPCW's increasing focus will be on preventing the resurgence of such chemical weapons, as well as on promoting awareness and understanding among participants on the development of chemical safety and security management. This is besides special emphasis on chemical safety and related best practices, as promoting peaceful uses of chemistry is important in the development of economy and technology in the organization's member States. A matter that requires the establishment of a global partnership to improve chemicals management and facilitate the provision of a platform for experts and participants to share and discuss lessons, experiences and best practices in an effort to promote the peaceful use of chemicals for the economic and technological development of OPCW member States. "

The sessions of the Forum have included valuable engagements on the areas of chemical security and safety and highlighted efforts in dealing with chemical accidents, represented by the participation of the Civil Defence Academy and the Regional General Secretariat to avoid chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards in the GCC countries, as well as the participation of selected international experts and specialists who have enriched the forum’s sessions.