The Second Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Africa, held in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 19 and 20 October 2004, was organised jointly by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Over 50 representatives from 19 Member States attended the Meeting, in addition to observers from the States not Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Congo and Egypt. The meeting acts as a forum for personnel from National Authorities, involved in the daily, national implementation of the CWC, and ensures a follow-up to the implementation-related issues discussed by African National Authorities at their First Meeting held in Khartoum, the Sudan, from 19 to 21 April 2003. In this framework, representatives of National Authorities will seek to identify regional priorities and requirements for sustained technical assistance to States Parties in Africa, in order to enable the capacity-building required for the implementation of the Convention and for peaceful uses of chemistry. It will also seek to identify common areas where support for national implementation may be required.
In his opening address to the representatives of African National Authorities, H.E. Dr S.T. Sekeramayi, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Zimbabwe, stated that “The reason why we were so keen to join the Organisation was not merely because of international solidarity, but we believed then as we do now, in its aims and goals. We have no offensive chemical materials on our soil but we, like a number of other African countries, have had cause to worry about the possibility of their use by those who possess them. Zimbabwe is working hard to fulfil its obligations regarding the Convention. We are aware of the deadline in about a year’s time that will require all States Parties to have by then complied with certain key obligations.”
This meeting is very timely as it comes near the half-way point in the implementation of the Article VII Action Plan that urges all Member States that had not fulfilled their implementation obligations to do so expeditiously. Member States are requested to set internal targets and deadlines and to inform the OPCW about their progress. The Action Plan’s deadline is the 10th Conference of the States Parties, which will be held in just over one year.
In Africa, this issue has particular importance since the establishment of a National Authority, the drafting and enactment of comprehensive legislation, the submission of industrial declarations, the necessary measures for the control of the import and export of chemicals that are relevant to the Convention require a commitment of expertise and scarce resources. The OPCW’s Technical Secretariat has been working with African Member States, bilaterally as well as on a regional basis, to provide support in implementing their obligations.
As co-chairperson, Mr John Makhubalo, OPCW Director for International Cooperation & Assistance, opened the meeting and delivered a welcoming message on behalf of the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, stressing that “The Convention to which we are all committed depends to a great extent upon its diligent and comprehensive implementation by you, the National Authorities. This is an ambitious and complex undertaking. This meeting can contribute to enhancing the national implementation of this treaty. The Convention uniquely combines development, disarmament and non-proliferation goals to create a world free of these horrible weapons. Africa as a continent, is firmly committed to ensuring the elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, and must now take steps to ensure that no individuals or non-state entities are able to access chemicals to use them as instruments of terror.”
52/2004