The Hague, 2 February 2023 – The Philippines reaffirmed its commitment in promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry during the meeting between Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya and Mr. Li Zhao, Director of the International Cooperation and Assistance Division (ICA) of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), on 2 February 2023 at the OPCW Headquarters.
Ambassador Malaya, as Permanent Representative to the OPCW, conveyed appreciation to the Technical Secretariat for its support to OPCW Member States in their capacity building efforts and in facilitation of international cooperation on the peaceful uses of chemistry through the conduct of various training and seminars.
“The Philippines is keen in pursuing initiatives that will strengthen its capabilities in countering threats from chemical weapons and enhance the skills of its science and technology community, as well as the capacity of Philippine laboratories, in the responsible uses of chemistry,” Malaya highlighted.
Malaya also conveyed the Philippines' readiness to welcome and assist the Technical Secretariat in organizing OPCW trainings or meetings in the Philippines.
Director Zhao in turn recognized Philippines’ active participation in programs and training organized by OPCW ICA Division. He assured that the ICA Division is ready to assist the Philippines in its capacity building needs.
In the past two years, more than 40 Filipinos from government agencies, the academe, and the chemical industry participated in capacity-building programs of ICA Division, both in-person and online. They were endorsed by the Program Management Office of the Anti-Terrorism Council, the Philippine National Authority for the OPCW.
Ambassador Malaya was accompanied by Deputy Permanent Representative Jarie Osias and Attaché Sharon Satin, while Director Zhao was joined by Mr. Sergey Zinoviev, Special Advisor for ICB Programme Planning and Coordination, and Mr. Roman Warchol, Senior Programme Officer, International Cooperation Branch.
The ICA Division provides assistance to States Parties’ efforts to meet their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) through a wide range of programs and projects that promote the peaceful use of chemistry for economic and technological development; facilitate States Parties’ national implementation of the CWC, and respond to threats from toxic chemicals.
As the implementing body for the CWC, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Article XI of the Convention mandates the Technical Secretariat to pursue capacity building programs supporting peaceful uses of chemistry.
The Philippines is among the original States Parties of the Convention, having signed it in 1993. // END