CHEMICAL DISARMAMENT AND NON-PROLIFERATION

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR PRISCILLA JANA, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA AT THE FIRST SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE STATES PARTIES TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION HELD IN THE HAGUE, 28 APRIL TO 9 MAY 2003

Mr. Chairperson

The South African delegation welcomes you to the Chair of this First Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We are particularly heartened to see an African presiding over this strategic event. As we undertake the important objectives of the Conference, to reflect on the five years of the Convention's implementation, and plan for future action, we pledge to you our support and assistance.

South Africa is committed to the system of multilateralism, and the object and purpose of the OPCW. My delegation assures you of our full cooperation in your endeavours to successfully conclude the deliberations of this First Review Conference through compromise and consensus.

Mr. Chairperson

We compliment the comprehensive, informative and progressive report by the Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter. My delegation is convinced that it will assist the Conference, in successfully reviewing the past operations and charting the forthcoming plans of the OPCW.

We welcome the report by the Chairperson of the Executive Council, Ambassador Lionel Fernando of Sri Lanka and that of the Chairperson of the Working Group on the Preparations for the Review Conference, Ambassador Alberto Daverede of Argentina . We highly commend the work that they have done in guiding the preparatory work for this Conference with their skilful leadership, which has set the stage for a meaningful conference. Regretfully for us, both Ambassador Fernando and Ambassador Daverede have concluded their term of office in The Hague . My delegation extends to them our felicitations and good wishes.

Mr. Chairperson

Current events around the globe confirm that we have yet to achieve the much-desired status of peace, security and stability for all nations. The world is not the same as it was at the Entry into Force of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997. The environment is more dangerous than ever before, with radical changes in science and technology which might lead to the development of new weapons of mass destruction and the threat of the use of such weapons not only by States, but non-State actors as well.

The object and purpose of the Chemical Weapons Convention, to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons and to ensure the use of chemistry for peaceful purposes only, is now more relevant than ever before. This is achieved through collective multilateral approach, to which we are all committed, as the best means of effective disarmament and arms control. This system is under threat. We stress that it is crucial that States abide by, and indeed, underscore the importance of the multilateral system, with particular reference to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Mr. Chairperson

Since 1997, the membership of the Chemical Weapons Convention has attained a phenomenal growth to 151 States Parties. The Convention is well on its way to achieving its ultimate goal of universal application. It is clear that States which have not yet joined the Convention have very specific reasons which relate either to a perception of their own security interests, or a perceived lack of benefit to joining the Convention. My delegation wishes to address the latter category.

A region with many non-States Parties to the Convention is Africa . The Technical Secretariat of the OPCW has invested a great deal of time and energy to promote the Convention in Africa . This, together with the efforts of African States Parties, has resulted in the adoption, by the African Union, of a resolution underpinning the commitment of Africa to the object and purpose of the CWC.

For a region with virtually no history of the use or manufacture of chemical weapons, the focus of the Convention is International Cooperation and Assistance, designed, in part at least, to address the developmental needs of States Parties in the field of chemistry. ICA has, for far too long, remained a peripheral feature of this Disarmament Convention.

In order to achieve universal application of the Convention, States Parties will have to address the developmental needs of those countries which join the Convention, and incur the obligations it imposes, despite them never having possessed chemical weapons.

My delegation hopes that, at this Review Conference, the issues of universality and International Cooperation and Assistance will be dealt with openness, cooperation and commitment.

We support the Director-General's call for partnerships with relevant international and regional organizations in order to avoid duplication of efforts, to exploit synergism and to enhance the unique features of the OPCW's international cooperation programs. In this respect we look forward to cooperation between the OPCW and the African Union.

As Chair of the African Union, it seems clear to us, that the programs of the New Partnership for Africa 's Development (NEPAD), particularly in the area of peace and security would undoubtedly complement the OPCW's efforts in achieving the objectives of the Convention.

Mr. Chairperson

My delegation notes with satisfaction the steady progress made by Possessor States in respect of the core function of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and the means of producing such weapons.

As the destruction facilities increase, the demand on monitoring will become overwhelming. We support any discussion to consider improved monitoring through advances in automation technology or any approach that may lead to the use of less resources. We are particularly encouraged by the fact that the Russian Federation has begun its program of stockpile destruction.

This being the prime objective of the Convention, we propose that the Review Conference carefully considers the current status of the various destruction programs with a view to developing ways and means to accelerate the process, particularly in countries which have lagged behind.

Mr. Chairperson

Industrial verification is also a key element of the Convention. Since Entry into Force, the OPCW has conducted an impressive number of verification visits in over 50 countries. These inspections have been undertaken on the basis of the chemical schedules contained in the Convention. We believe that the Organization should have a fair understanding of the activities of those parts of the industries in States Parties, which are engaged with schedule 1, 2 and 3 chemicals.

Since the finalization of the schedules in the late 1980s, massive advances have occurred in technology, equipment and processing techniques. In order to continue to be of practical value, this Convention must keep pace with the changes. This will require a re-focus of the main activities surrounding industrial verification, possibly with a greater emphasis on plants that are not as highly specialized which may produce novel chemicals that can be incorporated by the Chemical Weapons Convention. This issue will be addressed in this Conference and we urge delegations to consider it seriously.

My delegation supports the Director General's statement to enhance the OPCW's relationship with non-government organizations, professional associations, academic institutions and with society at large. We are satisfied with the report of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on the impact of Scientific Developments on the Chemical Weapons Convention. Among its conclusions, this report states that although the newer technologies, such as the advances in bio-molecular science and in chemical synthesis, must be under regular review, they do not materially change the situation regarding the risks to the Convention by toxic chemicals that are not listed in the Schedules.

We further welcome the report of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) on developments in science and technology. It is good to note that SAB is not aware of any unscheduled toxic chemicals or precursors that were not already known when the Convention was concluded in 1992 or that have actually been weaponized or stockpiled as chemical weapons.

Mr. Chairperson

The successful implementation of the Convention is due to the effective and efficient role of the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW. My delegation commends the Director-General for the exemplary work he has done. We also convey our appreciation and gratitude to the staff of the Organization who have diligently worked behind the scenes.

During the first five years of the Organization the administration of the Technical Secretariat faced many challenges. We are hopeful that as the OPCW progresses, more of these challenges will be overcome. Delegations must take responsibility for many of the problems. It is disturbing that it has taken us nearly six years to resolve the issue of staff tenure, to name but one.

The successful implementation of the Convention requires adequate financial and human

resources for the Organization. States Parties must ensure that the qualitative and quantitative resources are available. My delegation reiterates with emphasis, the need to increase appropriate geographical representation on the staff from regions that are under-represented.

Mr. Chairperson

Let us focus on the outcome of this Review Conference. This being the First Review Conference, there will be many different ideas, varied perceptions and proposals for an ideal outcome. During the run-up to the Conference, intensive discussions centred around the final document – whether it should be a political statement or take another format. We humbly submit that the declaration should be representative and inclusive. It should contain two distinct aspects: a reaffirmation of our Political Commitments and a Practical Action Plan.

As States Parties, we must renew our political commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW.

South Africa believes, that there must also be a Practical Action Plan premised on the

deliberations of the Conference, which identifies the outstanding issues that require urgent resolution, and sets out practical measures to address them within a defined program of work.

In this way we can ensure the continued relevance and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Mr. Chairperson

I began my intervention by referring to the dangerous times in which we live. This Conference is one of the many taking place in the multilateral arms control environment this year. The issues before us are serious and imminent. We cannot afford the usual diplomatic manoeuvrings of such conferences. My delegation is ready to tackle the tough issues and to seek necessary solutions.

We are confident that our colleagues will adopt the same approach so that we may collectively contribute to worldwide peace and security.

Mr. Chairperson

I thank you.