OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü (left), and Mr Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, inaugurating the Regional CWC Assistance and Protection Centre in Islamabad, Pakistan
The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, visited Pakistan from 18-19 November 2015, where he called on the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Sartaj Aziz. Ambassador Üzümcü also met with the Foreign Secretary, H.E. Mr Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, and other senior officials.
In his meetings, the Director-General acknowledged Pakistan’s valuable contribution to the work of the OPCW, including through convening of assistance and protection activities aimed at enhancing implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Ambassador Üzümcü also updated senior officials on progress made in the OPCW’s work in Syria and discussed ways of further enhancing Pakistan’s cooperation with the OPCW.
During the visit, Director-General Üzümcü and Mr Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly inaugurated the newly established Regional CWC Assistance and Protection Centre. Ambassador Üzümcü also addressed participants of an international course on Assistance and Protection being hosted at the new centre, and further observed a practical exercise that was conducted as part of the course.
While in Islamabad, the Director-General also delivered a keynote address at a seminar hosted by the Institute of Strategic Studies on “Achievements of the OPCW and its Future Role in Post-Destruction Phase.”
Later, Ambassador Üzümcü visited the Chemical Protection Research Laboratory, where he was received by Dr Irfan Burney, Chairman of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission.