Uganda lobbies use of chemicals for economic dev't

Dec 01, 2016

Bigirimana noted that it was important to fully implement Article eleven (XI) of the Convention, which designates substantial assistance to non-possessor States to enable them develop chemical capacity and Industry.

PS Pius Bigirimana at The Hague in Netherlands

The Permanent secretary ministry of Gender, labour and social development, Pius Bigirimana on Monday delivered a keynote address at the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) at The Hague in Netherlands, during which he called for the peaceful use of chemicals to spur economic development among poor nations.

This was the 21st Session of the Conference of State Parties to the CWC.

Bigirimana noted that it was important to fully implement Article eleven (XI) of the Convention, which designates substantial assistance to non-possessor States to enable them develop chemical capacity and Industry.

Non-possessor States are States that don't possess, produce or have stockpiles of chemical weapons.

"This will facilitate the developing countries to view the Convention as a relevant tool and as a catalyst for economic development through the unlimited use of chemicals for peaceful purposes not prohibited in the Convention," he said, according to a release from his office.

Calling for stronger collaboration between member states, Bigirimana said Uganda welcomes the development of concrete measures to ensure the promotion of international cooperation in the field of chemical activities through the exchange of scientific and technical information.  

The Convention remains the only multilaterally negotiated, non-discriminatory and internationally verifiable instrument for the destruction of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Bigirimana revealed that with regard to the East African Community (EAC), there is already a Chemical Emergency Response, Planning and Management Mechanism hosted by Uganda.

It is for this reason that Uganda hosted members from States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention in East African region for an Operational Training in Emergency Response to Chemical Incident or attack. The training took place in Jinja from 14 - 18 November 2016.The objectives of the training was to equip the participants with knowledge and skills in handling emergencies involving toxic chemicals.

Facilitated by experts from the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, the training attracted 45 participants from Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda while representatives of East African Community (EAC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) attended as observers.

Bigirimana  implored the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to include the training activity in their calendar as an annual event so that the equipment donated are used appropriately to develop the capacity in the region and in Africa at large.

He revealed that after sensitisation, Ugandan Members of Parliament were able to understand the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention and later discussed and approved the Toxic Chemicals Prohibition and Control Act, 2016.

He encouraged States Parties who have not yet put in place legislative measures to domesticate the Convention to explore avenues in the "Influential Visitors Programme.''

The Conference of the States Parties is the plenary organ consisting of all members of the OPCW. It is the 'principal organ of the Organisation', and has the general power to oversee the implementation of the Convention, and to act in order to promote the object and purpose of the Convention.

The conference closes tomorrow, Friday.

 

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