A sub-regional workshop on national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for the Pacific Islands States was held in Nadi, Fiji from 5 to 7 July 2010, attracting 25 participants from 12 States Parties* as well as from the Oceania Customs Organisation and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretariat.
The workshop, the first to be jointly organised by the OPCW with the PIF Secretariat, addressed issues related to the drafting and finalisation of national implementing legislation and adoption of enforcement regulations.
Speaking at the opening the International Legal Adviser at the PIF Secretariat, Ms Lorraine Kershaw, noted that promoting universal adherence to the CWC contributes tangibly to global security by enlarging the area of the world in which chemical weapons are banned. She said the CWC offers the best mechanism for preventing the profoundly destabilising effects that would accompany any spread in the region of chemical weapons.
The workshop provided participants the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics relating to the work of National Authorities and their efforts in implementing the provisions of the CWC. Participants made presentations on the status of implementation of the Convention in their respective States Parties and on the progress made in drafting and finalising national implementing legislation. Bilateral consultations were also held with the participating States Parties to address their specific requests for assistance in legal and capacity-building matters.
The workshop was funded by a voluntary contribution from the Republic of Korea.
* Cook Islands, Kiribati, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu
OPCW NEWS 20/2010 THE HAGUE, 13 JULY 2010