THE HAGUE, Netherlands–22 October 2020–Fifty-nine professionals from Latin America and the Caribbean expanded their knowledge on chemical safety and security management during today’s advanced online training conducted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
In his opening remarks, the OPCW’s Head of the International Cooperation Branch, Mr Li Zhao, highlighted the growing importance of chemical safety and security in today’s world and reconfirmed the Organisation’s commitment to building capacity in this field despite the challenges of the current pandemic.
The course offered a critical evaluation of audit methodologies for chemical facilities to minimise the risk of safety incidents. Moreover, the participants studied methods of safeguarding the chemical plant supply chain security against both external and internal threats. Participants discussed a range of topics, including new approaches to chemical safety and security, recent techniques to evaluate chemical safety and security performance in chemical processes, as well as the resources, tools and training needed to further promote chemical safety standards.
Course attendees represented National Authorities, chemical industry, industry associations, government departments, and academia from 15 OPCW Member States: Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Grenada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Uruguay, and Ecuador.
Background
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.
Over 98% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.