/ ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION
OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS

WORKSHOP ON ARTICLE XI

OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION

OPENING REMARKS BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR AHMET ÜZÜMCÜ

DIRECTOR-GENERAL

OF THE ORGANIZATION FORTHE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS

OPCW HEADQUATERS

24November 2010

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

  1. It gives me greatpleasure towelcome you all to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and to this workshop on Article XI of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
  1. This is, for our Organisation and for its MemberState, a very important event. Its aim is to foster the exchange of ideas among States Parties about a key provision of the Chemical Weapons Conventioncovering the promotionof international cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry.
  1. I am pleased to welcomethe co-Chairs of the workshop, His Excellency Ambassador Abuelgasim Idris of the Republic of Sudan and His Excellency Ambassador MaartenLak of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a privilege to continue to benefit from their long experience and deep understanding of the Convention as well as of the specific issuesthat will be discussed in the coming days. I am confident that under their capable leadership the workshop will achieve its objectives and will contribute towards the goal of a more effective implementation of Article XI and the Convention.
  1. I am also pleased to recognise the presence of individuals whose professional contribution to the Organisation has been considerable and meritorious. They include Dr John Makhubalo, former Director of the International and Cooperation Assistance Division (ICA) of the Technical Secretariat, Dr. Norman Kirkby from the University of Surrey, one of the founders of the Associate Programme, Dr.Paula Vanninen, Director of Finnish Institute for the Verification of Chemical Weapons Convention and Head of the National Authority of Finland; Mr. David Moore, President and CEO of the AcuTech Consulting Group, a security, process safety and emergency management consulting firm and Dr. Valery Kukhar, member of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board and member of the National Academy of Science of Ukraine.
  1. I also wish to extend my sincere welcome to our lead facilitator, Dr. David Faraday, who, together with Dr. Makhubalo and Mr. Moore will assist participants in the facilitated discussions, which is an important segment of this event. These discussions include the review of the Organisations’ current international cooperation programmes in the broader context of the subject of each theme. They will also analyse the challenges and opportunities in this area of work of the Organisation.
  1. Allow me to convey to them and to the other contributors in this workshop our sincere gratitude. I trust that the discussions during the coming two days will lead toconcrete proposals for enhancing the implementation of Article XI and for promoting cooperation among Member States in this key area.
  1. It is very encouraging to see such a large turn-outtoday, which is also balanced in terms of broad geographical representation. A number of key stakeholders are also participating from a variety of relevant sectors. Present today are representatives from governments, the academia, the chemical industry and chemical industry associations, nongovernmental organisations, regional and international institutionsas well as former participants in the international cooperation programmes. Your continued involvement in implementation of the Convention is essential to furthering its goals and is indeed greatly valued.
  1. Such a broad participation is evidence of the importance that States Parties and relevant national and international stakeholders attach to Article XI of the Convention. It is in fact States Parties themselves that launched the idea to hold this event. The Conference of the States Parties last year and the Executive Council in Februarymandated the Secretariat to organise this workshop and adopted the necessary guidelines.
  1. The States Parties also extended valuablesupport to the Secretariat during the preparations for this event. I wish, in particular, to convey my sincere gratitude to Mr. Chen Kai of China, facilitator for the workshop for his hard work and commitment, as well as to all those States Parties that provided voluntary financial contributionsthat helped to coverpart of the associatedcosts.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

  1. Chemistry is a key science in our contemporary societies. It is a science that needs to be fostered to the maximum possible extent, including through international cooperation amongst nations and individuals in order to promote a better quality of life. However, it is equally paramount that itis not misused for destructive purposes.
  1. As you are aware, our key mission is to implement the provisions of the Convention in order to achieve a world free of chemical weapons, and a world in which chemistry is exclusively used for the benefit of human kind. The Convention provides an integrated approach to chemical disarmament and non-proliferation. Together with the goal of eliminating chemical weapons, the CWC also makeseconomic and technological development through international cooperation in the field of peaceful chemical activities as one of the four core objectives of the Convention.
  1. For over 13 years, the Technical Secretariat has implemented a wide range of programmes in the area of international cooperation in the pursuit of chemistry for peaceful purposes. Since the entry into the force of Convention, international cooperation programmes have extended support to almost three and a half thousand professionals worldwide. This Workshop will offer an opportunity to reflect on these past activities as well as on how this engagement can be made more effective.
  1. This workshop is taking place at an important juncture. While thenumber and typesof programmes offered by the Secretariat in the area of international cooperation have steadilyexpanded, our efforts in this area require continuous refinement and adjustment to better respond to the needs of relevant national institutions. At the same time, advances in chemistry and broader knowledge about our programmes also raise new expectations that need to be addressed.
  1. A large number of Member States that neither had chemical weapons nor a strong chemical industry attach great importance to the provisions of Article XI. Many of them have aspired to improve education and training as well as to acquire strong analytical capabilities in the area of peaceful chemistry. Others are also experiencing the emergence or growth of chemical industry andtherefore the need for greater regulation.
  1. The increase in demand for international cooperation projects, including as a result of the growth in the membership of the Organisation has been noted by States Parties at the Second Review Conference. While acknowledgingsuch enhanced needs, we also need to carefully identify the priorities for our future action as well as the resources that will be needed to support international cooperation activities.
  1. This workshop takes place on the eve of the year 2011, which the General Assembly of the United Nations has proclaimed as the “International Year of Chemistry”. By this designation, the General Assembly aims to commemorate the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humanity and to increase the public appreciation and understanding of chemistry in meeting world needs. This event represents an important occasion for the OPCW to disseminate the message about the Convention as the only effective legal instrument that comprehensively bans chemical weapons and seeks to prevent the misuse of chemistry, while promoting its development for peaceful purposes. It is in this context that the OPCW can make a significant contribution to the objectives of IYC-2011.
  1. While the Organisation will make an appropriate contribution to the activities organised during the year, it also plans to host an event of its own. The Secretariat will promote the organisation of a “Conference on International Cooperation and Chemical Safety & Security.” This Conference will seek to enhance support for the Convention’s objectives, including in the area of international cooperation, within policy-making circles in national capitals and among relevant stakeholders. We do look forward to your contributions to this major event.

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

  1. The OPCW is rightly described as a successful organization. It represents a model not only due to its unique verification regime, but also the tools that it provides for effective national implementation. National Authorities established under the Conventionplay the pivotal role in ensuing that the Convention is implemented effectively within the domestic jurisdiction of States Parties. Progress in achieving the goals of the Convention is dependant on the ability of Member States to successfully and effectively implement the Convention’s prohibitions.
  1. It is therefore of utmost importance that the knowledge, skills and expertise that we offer to the Member States through international cooperation and capacity building programmes are used to the fullest extent possible to promote implementation of the Convention as a whole. In addition, enhanced capacities and expertise support and complement endeavours towards sustainable development especially in the field of chemicals management.
  1. The technical assistance programmes, that seek to build capacities of the Member States through international cooperation, run through the Convention as a common thread. These programmes have provided an enabling environment for the Convention to operate successfully. In addition, activities relating to international cooperation have supported the universality objectives of the Convention and fostered beneficial networking among the relevant stakeholders. International cooperation programmes not only extend the benefits of peaceful uses of chemistry to all, but, most importantly, enhance our stakeholders’ ability to better implement their obligations under the Convention.
  1. That is why this workshop on Article XIis an important and timely exercise. After more than 10 years of various activities being in place, it is an opportune time to take stock and review the accomplishments and opportunities. In other words, the question is: how do we better meet emerging challenges of a changing world? This workshop provides an excellent opportunity to critically evaluate our achievements as well as to assess the way forward with a clear focus on implementing the objectives of the Convention.
  1. There is also a need to enhance our cooperation and synergies with other international bodies in the area of chemicals management. These include treaty bodies such as the Stockholm and Rotterdam Conventions. Coordinating our efforts with the broader objectives supported by the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management is also entirely relevant. I see the role of these instruments as complementing each other’s efforts especially relating to toxic chemicals listed in the Convention. We should, therefore, aim to adopt a more integrated and strategic approach in our work – an approach that would not only support the CWC but also coordinate with other relevant efforts relating to management of chemicals and for sustainable development.
  1. The level of participation in this workshop reconfirms the widespread interest that States Parties have shown with respect to Article XI-related issues. The readiness and enthusiasm with which the proposal for this workshop was welcomed and supported indicates the importance of these issues to the Member States. I feel confident that your deliberations will be substantive and productive and will provide useful insights for our future work.
  1. I will conclude by expressing my hope that you will participate actively and constructively in the debates and discussions. I look forward to your recommendations and wish you every success.

Thank you for your attention.

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