MoFA Undersecretary inaugurates Chemical Safety and Security Workshop

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Head of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, inaugurated the first international workshop for the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the Kingdom of Bahrain, entitled “Chemical Safety and Security”, at the headquarters of the Mohammed Bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Diplomatic Academy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the participation of a number of experts from the Organisation and representatives of ministries and various relevant government and private bodies, which lasted for three days.

Dr. Shaikha Rana welcomed the participants in her opening speech, thanking them for their keenness to be present at the inauguration of this workshop. She also expressed her gratitude to the OPCW for its efforts and hard work through its constant endeavor to provide support to all States Parties and its keenness to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention to the fullest to achieve peace and security in all countries of the world.

The Undersecretary affirmed that the Committee follows a policy aimed at reaffirming the Kingdom of Bahrain’s absolute commitment to implement all its international pledges. In this regard, she reviewed the most important projects of the Committee, such as the launching of the Scientific Research Award in the field of weapons of mass destruction and other projects that supervise, develop and implement various plans and mechanisms in line with the vision and mission set by the Committee in order to achieve its objectives of following up the implementation of international conventions, developing national cadres, enhancing international cooperation, building a community partnership and developing the legislative system of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this field.

Dr. Shaikha Rana detailed that the aim of organizing such workshops is to reflect the keenness of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction is strengthening the position of the Kingdom of Bahrain and empowering its obligations before the international organizations, especially the OPCW. She also noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain will continue to have a significant and effective role in spreading peace on its land and all over the world, explaining the importance of spreading awareness in the field of chemical weapons through these workshops, which lies in the world’s development in the field of chemical industry and production, as it represents an opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss the application of the best practices within the framework of the efforts made by the Kingdom to implement its commitments effectively and professionally while ensuring to open all scientific and practical fields with the international organizations.

In conclusion, the Head of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction expressed her deepest gratitude to all members of the National Committee and their representatives for their untiring efforts in ensuring the success of the Committee’s work, as well as to all speakers and participants and their contribution to the success of this workshop.

The Senior Programme Officer of the International Cooperation Branch of the OPCW, Dr. Rohan Perera, delivered a speech in which he stressed the outstanding partnership between OPCW and the Kingdom of Bahrain in providing security and safety measures to prevent the spread of chemical materials and weapons, indicating the work and activities of the organization and its keenness to work together with various organizations and institutes around the world related to the same field. He also thanked the Committee for inviting him as a speaker and participant in this workshop, which will ensure increased community awareness about the safe use and dealing with various types of materials and chemical weapons in order to prevent any negative repercussions that may result, in addition to presenting a number of points and details in the field of chemical safety and security.

During the two days following the workshop, a number of lectures were given and many topics were discussed with the participation of speakers from various parties, such as researchers from the University of Bahrain, the OPCW and the Bahrain Petroleum Company “Bapco”. The speakers made a presentation on the most important strategies used in the application of chemical security management rules as well as the major chemical risks that someone may be exposed to in the industrial field, in addition to practical applications about the evacuation plan in the event of a chemical accident and how to deal with it with caution and professionalism.

The General Directorate of Civil Defense at the Ministry of Interior also presented the various devices and equipment used in the face of any danger or emergencies, in addition to introducing participants to the importance of these equipment and their methods of use and purpose, where they were trained on how to deal with chemicals during these emergencies.

It is worth mentioning that the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons periodically organizes a number of courses and workshops to raise awareness among various sectors and the civil society on the dangers of hazardous chemicals in order to avoid any emergencies or environmental problems, that is in cooperation with various actors inside and outside the Kingdom of Bahrain.