DYB2011-Part-II-web

Biological and chemical weapons
economies in transition, combining both theoretical and practical training in
modern production and in management and safety practices in the chemical
industry.
In the area of assistance and protection against chemical weapons, the
OPCW Secretariat, in collaboration with member States, conducted various
regional capacity-building and training courses for specialists dealing with
response to incidents with chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial
chemicals.
A highlight of the Organisation’s work in 2011 was the OPCW
Conference on International Cooperation and Chemical Safety and Security,
held from 12 to 13 September. The Conference was organized to mark 2011
as the International Year of Chemistry and as a contribution of OPCW to that
celebration. The purpose of the Conference was to underscore the critical
importance of the use of chemistry for exclusively peaceful purposes and to
further strengthen support for the Convention. Over 400 participants from 29
countries participated in the Conference. The conference was further evidence
of the strong commitment of the OPCW States parties to the goals of the
Convention. 45
During the year, the Secretariat continued to carry out various activities
aimed at promoting universal adherence. On 14 July, the Republic of
South Sudan became the 193rd Member State of the United Nations. On
13 September, the Director-General addressed a letter to the South Sudanese
authorities, encouraging the newly established State to join the Convention
and offering OPCW assistance in facilitating the country’s accession. The
Secretariat also continued its outreach efforts with the Governments of
Myanmar and Angola. At the invitation of the Government of Myanmar, a
delegation from the Secretariat visited the country in June. The Secretariat
also promoted and sponsored the participation of representatives of non-States
parties in events organized by OPCW, such as awareness-raising and training
activities, including the 2011 Challenge Inspection Exercise, and continued to
maintain bilateral contacts with representatives of non-States parties, where
possible, on the sidelines of official visits. The Director-General and Deputy
Director-General raised the issue of universality during their official visits
throughout the year.
The 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) 46 had requested OPCW and other
relevant international organizations to prepare background documentation
for the 2012 Conference on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of
45 The Outcome Document of the Conference is available from http://www.opcw.org/
chemicals-conference.
46 The treaty text and status of adherence are available from http://disarmament.un.org/
treaties/ (accessed 12 April 2012).
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