Objectives of the Workshop

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Presentation on the Workshop on the Presentation on the Workshop on the Chemical Weapons Convention Chemical Weapons Convention

for African Statesfor African States

By Mr Saïd MoussiBy Mr Saïd MoussiAlternate Representative of AlgeriaAlternate Representative of Algeria

Facilitator on UniversalityFacilitator on Universality

The Hague, 14 April 2008The Hague, 14 April 2008

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Objectives of the WorkshopObjectives of the Workshop Implement the Action Plans on Universality and Implement the Action Plans on Universality and

Article VII as well as relevant decisions of the Article VII as well as relevant decisions of the States PartiesStates Parties

Raise awareness and promote universality of Raise awareness and promote universality of the CWC;the CWC;

Encourage the full and effective implementation Encourage the full and effective implementation of the Convention in Africa;of the Convention in Africa;

Promote awareness on the activities and Promote awareness on the activities and programmes of the OPCW and the benefits of programmes of the OPCW and the benefits of the CWC to States Parties.the CWC to States Parties.

It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 10It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 10thth Anniversary in Africa.Anniversary in Africa.

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Organisation of the WorkshopOrganisation of the Workshop

Workshop conducted at la Workshop conducted at la Residence Djennane El-Residence Djennane El-mithak, in Algiers, on 18 and 19 June 2007.mithak, in Algiers, on 18 and 19 June 2007.

Programme was designed to address issues related Programme was designed to address issues related to universality and implementation including Article to universality and implementation including Article VII related issues.VII related issues.

Workshop was the result of the generous support of Workshop was the result of the generous support of and cooperation among the Technical Secretariat, and cooperation among the Technical Secretariat, the EU under its 2006 Joint Action, and the Host the EU under its 2006 Joint Action, and the Host country.country.

Main events included the 10Main events included the 10thth Anniversary ceremony Anniversary ceremony and exhibition, bilateral meetings between the DG and exhibition, bilateral meetings between the DG and the Prime Minister and with the MFA, as well as and the Prime Minister and with the MFA, as well as with representatives of States not Party.with representatives of States not Party.

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AttendanceAttendance All States not Party in the region attended (at official All States not Party in the region attended (at official

level), except Somalia, which could not participate for level), except Somalia, which could not participate for logistical reasons.logistical reasons.

Representatives of 25 States Parties attended.Representatives of 25 States Parties attended. Of the 25 SPs, 13 were from Africa.Of the 25 SPs, 13 were from Africa. 4 international and regional organisations (AU, EU, 4 international and regional organisations (AU, EU,

League of Arab States, and UN).League of Arab States, and UN). Good participation of representatives of States Parties in Good participation of representatives of States Parties in

The Hague indicated strong support for universality.The Hague indicated strong support for universality. Workshop was opened by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Workshop was opened by the Minister for Foreign Affairs

of Algeria, the Director-General of the OPCW and the of Algeria, the Director-General of the OPCW and the Ambassador of Germany to Algeria (on behalf of the EU).Ambassador of Germany to Algeria (on behalf of the EU).

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Main Achievements of the Main Achievements of the WorkshopWorkshop

The main outcome of the workshop was the renewed The main outcome of the workshop was the renewed political commitment of States Parties toward political commitment of States Parties toward achieving the goals of the Convention in Africa. achieving the goals of the Convention in Africa.

Enhanced synergies between Member States and the Enhanced synergies between Member States and the Secretariat;Secretariat;

Enabled new States Parties from Africa to share Enabled new States Parties from Africa to share experiences on measures for joining and implementing experiences on measures for joining and implementing the CWC;the CWC;

Strengthened the role of African States Parties in Strengthened the role of African States Parties in promoting universality in the region;promoting universality in the region;

Increased cooperation between the EU and African Increased cooperation between the EU and African States Parties and the Technical Secretariat;States Parties and the Technical Secretariat;

Increased contacts and bilateral demarches with Increased contacts and bilateral demarches with States not Party.States not Party.

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Impact on UniversalityImpact on Universality States not Party informed about measures planned or States not Party informed about measures planned or

being taken to join.being taken to join. States not Party recognised the importance of joining States not Party recognised the importance of joining

and committed to expediting measures to this end.and committed to expediting measures to this end. Republic of Congo deposited its instrument of Republic of Congo deposited its instrument of

ratification in December 2007.ratification in December 2007. Guinea-Bissau has taken significant steps toward Guinea-Bissau has taken significant steps toward

joining—government approved in October, Parliament joining—government approved in October, Parliament also approved in December and President has signed. also approved in December and President has signed.

Angola informed that the government was considering Angola informed that the government was considering concrete measures toward joining the Convention.concrete measures toward joining the Convention.

Workshop provided a framework for further contacts Workshop provided a framework for further contacts and follow-up with States not Party.and follow-up with States not Party.

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Conclusion Conclusion Positive feedback on the workshop—efficient Positive feedback on the workshop—efficient

combination of universality and combination of universality and implementation.implementation.

Important role played by representatives of Important role played by representatives of States Parties from The Hague.States Parties from The Hague.

Timing of workshop also helped raised Timing of workshop also helped raised awareness on 10awareness on 10thth anniversary of the CWC in anniversary of the CWC in Africa.Africa.

Workshop also highlighted Algeria’s Workshop also highlighted Algeria’s commitment to the CWC and its commitment to the CWC and its implementation in Africa.implementation in Africa.

Appreciation for the EU support.Appreciation for the EU support.

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Thank youThank you