The OPCW and the National Authority of Spain jointly organised an advanced course on preparing declarations under the CWC for personnel from Spanish-speaking National Authorities in Madrid, Spain from 16 to 20 June 2008.
The course provided practical hands-on training to the participants, who are responsible for preparing national Article VI declarations. Participants from 15 States Parties attended the meeting: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
In her opening remarks Ms Kalimi Mworia, the OPCW Director of International Cooperation and Assistance, emphasised the importance of providing clear and timely declarations to the Secretariat as the foundation for successful implementation of the Article VI industry verification regime. Ms Mworia expressed her appreciation to the Spanish National Authority for their continued support to a number of OPCW international cooperation and assistance activities.
Mrs. Nieves Gómez Saínz de Aja, Secretary-General of the Spanish National Authority, recalled the earlier courses and seminars held in Spain and said the National Authority of Spain would continue to provide financial support and assistance for such activities in the future. Mrs. Gómez expressed her hope that the participants would apply the knowledge acquired and also train key stakeholders of their respective National Authorities in the implementation of the CWC’s declaration provisions.
During the course, round-table discussions were held on the implementation of the provisions relating to Article VI declarations, as well as on the decisions adopted by the Conference of the States Parties.
Participants also took part in table-top exercises that included use of the Internet and other electronic tools to identify and assess declarable activities as well as procedures on receiving, evaluating, and submitting declarations to the Secretariat. The Secretariat also gave presentations on the electronic submission of declarations (e-declarations).