Ms Jing Dong from ICCA/AICM in China addresses the informal meeting between representatives of the chemical industry and OPCW Members States on 24 September 2012.
The OPCW hosted an informal meeting between representatives of the chemical industry and OPCW Member States on 24 September 2012. The dialogue between the two communities produced valuable inputs for the preparatory process and discussions of the 3rd Review Conference, scheduled for 8 to 19 April 2013.
Fifteen industry representatives attended the meeting [PDF – 23 KB], together with delegates representing some 40 Member States from all OPCW geographic regions. The meeting was hosted by the chair of the Open Ended Working Group for preparation of the 3rd Review Conference, Ambassador Nassima Baghli of Algeria, and jointly opened by Ambassador Baghli and OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü.
In his opening remarks [PDF – 66 KB], Director-General Üzümcü cited the well-established tradition of dialogue and cooperation between the OPCW and its Member States and the chemical industry. “The OPCW remains acutely aware about the chemical industry’s importance as a core industry whose products sustain modern life,” he stated.
The Director-General recalled that during the negotiations on the Chemical Weapons Convention the chemical industry agreed to a declaration and verification process by inspection to provide assurances that toxic chemicals are not used for weapons production. “It therefore goes without saying that full and effective implementation of the Convention relies on the chemical industry, which has a vital role in ensuring the Convention’s continued success,” he added.
At the meeting a number of constructive ideas were put forward by participants, which prepared the ground for further dialogue between the OPCW and the chemical industry