Each year on 25 May, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) joins the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention from Africa in commemorating Africa Day which marks the adoption of the Organization for African Unity’s Charter in 1963.
The work of the Organization of African Unity culminated in the inauguration of the African Union in Durban, South Africa in July 2002. The African Union plays a leading role in promoting socio-economic development, security and disarmament in the region. The 38th session of the OAU adopted in 2002 the landmark “Decision on the Implementation and Universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention” (AHG/Dec. 181 (XXXVIII)), which underscored the importance attached to the Convention in Africa.
The Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, has attended each of the African Union’s Summits since 2003 and extended the OPCW’s support for the promotion of the objectives of the Convention in Africa.
The OPCW is actively promoting the acceptance of the Convention in all regions. Universal membership in the OPCW will ensure the complete elimination of chemical weapons from the world and their non-proliferation. Since the adoption of the Plan of Action on Universality in October 2003, eight African States have joined the OPCW family.
The OPCW continues to support the endeavours of the African States Parties in building their capacity in the area of national implementation of the Convention and for peaceful uses of chemistry. Together with African Member States, the OPCW is actively engaged in pursuing these objectives, including the consideration of an appropriate project meant for Africa, that could augment existing efforts to provide effective support for Africa.
In January 2006 on the occasion of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union, held in Khartoum, Sudan, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Professor Alpha Oumar Konaré, and the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The Memorandum of Understanding is designed to facilitate closer cooperation between the OPCW and the African Union.
On the occasion of the Africa Day, Director-General Pfirter reaffirmed his commitment to the fullest possible cooperation with African States Parties and the OPCW’s readiness at all times to facilitate the accession of new members from Africa. The active participation in the work of the OPCW by African States Parties constitutes an important contribution to the Organisation and towards achieving its goals.
PR31 / 2006