Japan, the Philippines, Australia and the OPCW Work Together to Prevent Chemical Weapons Proliferation

July 11, 2007

Over 60 representatives from the Filipino chemical industries and government ministries are participating in an Industry Workshop in Manila on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The workshop is being run jointly by the government of Japan, the Philippines, and Australia, as well as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Preventing the proliferation of chemical weapons and associated sensitive materials and technologies is the first line of defense against terrorists acquiring, developing or using these weapons. The pursuit of chemical weapons is viewed as unacceptable international behavior. Nevertheless, chemical weapons proliferation remains a challenge.
The CWC is a multilateral disarmament convention which bans the acquisition, development, production, stockpiling, transfer and use of chemical weapons. It is the first treaty to require the complete and verifiable elimination of an entire class of weapon of mass destruction. The CWC came into effect in 1997 and has 182 member states, including all countries in South East Asia apart from Myanmar (Burma).
Japan, The Philippines, Australia and the OPCW are working together to ensure the effective implementation of the Convention, by focusing on the industry verification mechanism, in order to enhance global and regional security and to deliver significant counter-terrorism benefits.
The workshop aims to raise awareness in the Philippines about the requirements and prohibitions of the CWC. The role of industry is critical, so there must be close and effective cooperation between industry and government. Representatives from the chemical industry in Japan and Australia will also participate in the workshop.

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