National Committee on chemical weapons' delegation visits BAPCO

Manama, Mar. 7 (BNA): The delegation of the National Committee on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and Destruction, led by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, today visited the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO). The delegation met with the Deputy Chief Executive of the company, Engineer Ibrahim Taleb, and other management executives, within the framework of the delegation’s keenness on reinforcing bilateral cooperation and exchanging experience with the competent authorities in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the Kingdom. The members of the Committee toured the company’s refinery units, including the Operations Control Building and the Refinery’s Laboratory, where they viewed the chemicals listed in Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction and used in the refinery. They were briefed on the various tasks and responsibilities of the company in providing the necessary support for BAPCO refinery’s various operations. The Head of the National Committee gave a simplified explanation on the role of the National Committee and its mechanism of action in the areas identified by relevant laws and resolutions and outlined the committee’s competences in connection with the Kingdom's international commitments those with regard to its role of establishing training courses and workshops, in cooperation with relevant international organizations, as well as participating in international meetings and conferences. Dr. Shaikha Rana stressed the importance of broadening cooperation with BAPCO through their active participation in international workshops and meetings, noting that the committee is also concerned with setting up the appropriate mechanism to facilitate the inspection of chemicals at the various ports and facilitate the entry of inspectors to conduct inspections of facilities as well as it follows up the inspections to learn about the results of such operations. She said the committee also proposes legislation as per its competence, so in 2018, two decisions were issued to set the conditions for issuing licenses and determine the categories of fees levied on the activities related to the chemicals listed in tables (1), (2) and (3) of the said convention. She added that the Executive Office of the National Committee was also formed in 2019, and assigned a number of functions such as to coordinate the work of the National Committee and follow up the implementation of the its decisions and recommendations. She stressed the firm policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in support of the disarmament efforts prevention of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction as such weapons constitute one of the most urgent threats facing humanity, peace and international security. She affirmed the importance of benefiting from nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and promoting cooperation in the peaceful uses of this energy, but in full consistency with legal obligations and in conformity with the agreements concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). At the conclusion of the visit, Dr. Shaikha Rana thanked the company's management for organizing this visit to expand cooperation between both sides and emphasized in particular their participation in conferences and workshops as an important factor of cooperation enhancement. This visit also aimed to learn about BAPCO experience in implementing a wide range of energy-related activities and included on its agenda a presentation on the company since its inception in 1992 and a summary of its future plans to reinforce its vision as well as a host of the leading projects it is implementing in the field of environmental conservation in various parts of the Kingdom.