Foreign Ministry holds 8th meeting of National Committee

Manama, June 27 (BNA): The National Committee on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons Development, Production, Use and Stockpiling and their Destruction held its 8th meeting headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa. The meeting was attended by the members of the Committee representing the relevant ministries and government bodies. Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa praised the efforts exerted by all members of the Committee to meet the Committee’s objectives and obligations. They reviewed the matters listed on the agenda and recalled points from the previous meeting regarding the prohibition of chemical weapons and their recommendations and proposals aimed at strengthening and developing the work of the National Committee. The committee reviewed future projects and ways to develop them in order to achieve the desired objectives of the National Committee, as well as the latest developments of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons. They also gave directions about accelerating the issuance of biological and nuclear law in fulfillment of the international obligations of Bahrain. They addressed the membership of the inspection team, in addition to the launch of a mechanism for collecting fees, which was launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism and was included on the Committee's web page. The Chairman of the National Committee reported that the Committee was currently coordinating a number of workshops, programs and training courses in cooperation with international organizations, including the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, The International Atomic Energy Agency, in response to the principle of community partnership and enhancing the cooperation of the Committee through awareness of the contents of relevant agreements, initiatives and Security Council decisions Dr. Shaikha Rana also urged members of the Committee to participate in international meetings and conferences in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in order to enhance cooperation and exchange of experiences with the competent authorities outside and inside the Kingdom of Bahrain. She reviewed the future programs including memorandums of understanding aimed at cooperation with the member countries of the convention, thus contributing to the development of cooperation and joint coordination in various fields to benefit the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Committee also discussed the scientific research award in the field of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, in implementation of the goal of developing national cadres, which is one of the main objectives set by the Committee and which they seek to achieve and develop. They added that this award helps to stimulate national cadres to provide systematic studies and approaches in this field. Dr. Shaikha Rana expressed her appreciation to the members of the Committee and to the ministries and government bodies for their efforts to ensure the success of the work of the Committee, wishing them further success.