Chemical weapons prohibition committee holds meeting

Manama, Mar. 7 (BNA): The Undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, chaired the first meeting of the National Committee on the Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling or Use of Chemical Weapon and the destruction of such weapons. Held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting is the first after the committee was restructured as per Cabinet’s Resolution 37/ 2017. During the meeting, the Undersecretary welcomed the committee members and wished them every success in their work to contribute to developing the strategic visions of various relevant key issues, noting that the current committee is an extension of a journey started by the former chairman and members. She praised the efforts made by the committee and its members during the previous two sessions. Dr. Shaikha Rana affirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain’s firm policy in supporting the efforts to disarm and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as they embody the main pressing threats to humanity and international peace and security. She stressed the importance of using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and promoting the cooperation for peaceful uses of atomic power as long as it fully complies with the legal obligations according to the agreements signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Undersecretary said that under the international developments and innovative methods, international cooperation must be promoted in preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and identifying dual-use goods through developing of the coordinating channels, intelligence-sharing, and cooperating to develop the search and inspection missions that target these goods by providing the best means of international training for the relevant regulatory and customs authority. She called for providing an infrastructure with the qualified equipment, tools, and modern technologies, supported by specific control measures on exports, with the need to initiate supporting legislation and laws to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. During the meeting, the previous achievements of the Committee were reviewed, including follow-ups and preparations of national reports and annual declarations under a number of international agreements. The Committee also established both a mechanism and plan for its work according to the tasks and competencies entrusted to it. The aforementioned Edict has also added new tasks to the committee, including follow-up on the implementation of all agreements, treaties, protocols and the Security Council resolutions that are related to the prevention of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery, including the agreements signed with the International Atomic Energy Agency and all relevant matters. The Committee further acts as a contact point with international organizations and agencies involved in prohibiting weapons of mass destruction. In addition, the committee was entrusted with the task of proposing the needed legislation for in this regard. Pursuant to article (1) of Resolution No. 37 of 2017 on the restructuring of the National Committee for the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, Brigadier Sameer Ahmed Al-Zayani was elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee, due to the efforts he made as a member and Vice Chairman in the previous two sessions. The committee was also restructured with the following membership: Fatema Abdulla Fares Aldhaen, Director of Organizations Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Brigadier Samir Al Zayani from the Bahrain Defence Force, Dr Jassim Al Mehza from the Ministry of Health, Colonel Hamad Al Kaabi, representative of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, Ministry of Interior, Abdulrahman bin Daij Al Khalifa, representative of Customs Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Faihan Mohammed Al-Faihani, representative of Energy, Electricity and Water Authority, representative of the National Oil and Gas Authority, Shaikh Hamad Bin Salman Al Khalifa, representative of the Ministry Of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Prof. Dr. Mohammed Al-Sayed, representative of the Ministry of Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Abbas Al-Mahrous, representative of the Supreme Council for the Environment and Dr. Abdullah Faisal Al-Shater representative of the University of Bahrain.