The new Permanent Representative of Mauritania to the OPCW, Ambassador Mohamed Mahmoud Ould Brahim Khilil, has informed the Organisation that his country has established a National Authority to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Ambassador Khilil made the announcement upon presenting his letter of credentials as Permanent Representative to Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü, on 9 May 2011. He also requested technical assistance from the OPCW to strengthen the capacity of the National Authority to fulfil its obligations, which the Director-General assured him will be forthcoming.
All States Parties are obliged to designate or establish a National Authority to implement the provisions of the Convention on their national territory, and to enact implementing legislation. Among their tasks, National Authorities are responsible for preparing declarations to the OPCW and escorting OPCW inspections of relevant industrial and military sites. They also act as focal points for interaction with other States Parties and with the Technical Secretariat.
Of the 188 States Parties to the Convention, 186 have now established National Authorities, leaving only two States Parties that have still to do so.