Distinguished participants,
Dear colleagues,
I am pleased to welcome you to the 25th edition of the OPCW Associate Programme.
I am happy to see such a diverse group of Associates from many regions, and to see that female participants are well represented.
I would like to start by thanking all those who contributed to this year’s Programme, including Permanent Representations, National Authorities, and chemical industry associations.
I also wish to express my appreciation to the University of Surrey, the World Customs Organization, the International Council of Chemical Associations, the International Chemical Trade Association, the European Chemical Industry Council, the European Association of Chemical Distributors, and the Dutch Customs Authorities for their valuable support.
Dear participants,
The Chemical Weapons Convention is a comprehensive and robust disarmament treaty.
Thanks to the commitment of all States Parties, last July we marked the milestone of the end of destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles.
Nonetheless, to make our gains permanent, we must dedicate ourselves to preventing the re-emergence of these weapons.
This includes addressing the repeated violation of the norm against the use of chemical weapons, which we have witnessed in several countries over the past decade.
We must also persist in dealing with non-traditional threats such as non-State actors using toxic chemicals for hostile purposes.
In addition, scientific and technological developments, such as artificial intelligence, poses both risks and opportunities to international security and stability.
We will also continue to foster international cooperation, cultivate expertise among our stakeholders, and promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.
The Associate Programme is intended to further advance these goals, as well as to tackle emerging challenges.
As we enter the post-stockpile destruction era, the Secretariat is committed to continuous improvement and to staying abreast of the rapid developments in science and technology.
The Centre for Chemistry and Technology will be key to this effort, strengthening the OPCW’s capacity for research, analysis, training, and international cooperation.
This facility will significantly contribute to our work on realising a world free of chemical weapons, supporting the economic and technological development of the States Parties.
Distinguished participants,
The Associate Programme is the leading initiative of the OPCW for building national capacity to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.
It also offers governments, academia, and industry a unique chance to broaden their pool of experts and professionals.
With over 600 individuals from 122 Member States trained, the Programme enjoys a long and successful history.
This year, Angola and Guatemala are joining as new participants, highlighting its ongoing importance among our Member States.
The Secretariat also benefits from the Programme, as former participants have become staff of the Secretariat or members of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board.
The key advantage of the Associate Programme is its international nature and unique combination of theory and practice.
During the nine-week course, you will learn about the Convention and its national implementation and engage in activities to cultivate skills for the modern chemical industry.
You will be trained by experts from universities, industry associations, and the Secretariat.
I also encourage you to collaborate closely with your fellow Associates, building connections and learning from their experiences.
As such, I urge everyone to discuss issues of interest and share your knowledge and best practices.
You will also hear about our Alumni Network, which is a vibrant forum for former Associates to exchange information and views.
When you eventually return home, we hope you will become advocates for the Convention and promote the peaceful applications of chemistry.
Dear participants,
I am certain that your efforts over the coming weeks will be rewarding for your careers.
I wish you all a productive and enjoyable time and I hereby officially launch the OPCW Associate Programme 2024.
Thank you for your kind attention.
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