Members of the delegation from the Togolese Republic with OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and Deputy Director-General, H.E. Ambassador Odette Melono
THE HAGUE, the Netherlands – 29 May 2019 – A high-level delegation from the Togolese Republic visited the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) from 27 – 29 May to discuss comprehensive national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The visit was part of the OPCW’s Influential Visitors Programme (IVP). The IVP aims to support States Parties that are in the final stages of adoption of CWC implementing legislation.
The delegation was headed by Member of Togo’s National Assembly and former Minister of Justice, Mr Tchitchao Tchalim, and included: Member of Togo’s National Assembly, Mr N’ladon Nadjo; President of the National Authority, Mr Pakoupati Boyode; Director of the Legal Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Noundja Nakpergou; Judicial Counsellor, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Midayaname Damobé; and Minister-Counsellor, Permanent Representation of the Togolese Republic to the OPCW, Mr Kodjovi Gaspard Afokpa.
The delegation met with OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and other senior officials of the Organisation, to discuss issues related to Togo’s implementation of the Convention.
During the meeting, the Director-General commended Togo’s active efforts to advance the adoption of national legislation, and emphasised the importance of a comprehensive legal framework for effective national implementation.
The Director-General stressed that States Parties’ enactment and implementation of regulations within their own legal structures was critical to enforcing the Convention and keeping the world free of chemical weapons.
The Togolese delegation reaffirmed their country’s commitment to ensuring that the draft legislation is presented to and adopted by the Togolese Parliament in the second half of 2019.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the range of technical assistance and capacity building programmes offered by the OPCW and received briefings on issues related to various aspects of CWC implementation. The programme also included a visit to the OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store in Rijswijk.
Background
In February 2013, Togo participated in the second session of OPCW’s Internship Programme for Legal Drafters and National Authority Representatives. The Togolese delegation produced the current draft bill and an accompanying action plan to support its adoption.
In September 2017, Togo participated in OPCW’s Stakeholders Forum on the Adoption of National Implementing Legislation for French-speaking States Parties in Africa. During the workshop, the delegation produced a revised action plan to guide the adoption of its draft implementing legislation.
In mid-2018, the Technical Secretariat provided Togo with additional technical assistance to amend and finalise its draft implementing bill.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Ninety-seven percent of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
More Information
Influential Visitors Programme
Fourth Session of the Influential Visitors Programme – Chile