WINDHOEK, Sept. 9 — The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Monday called for intensified efforts to strengthen Africa’s capacity to respond to chemical threats, following the elimination of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles worldwide.
Speaking at the opening of the Integrated Advanced Course and Exercise on Emergency Response to Chemical Incidents in Swakopmund, Namibia, OPCW Program Officer Babatunde Olowookere said the destruction of the last declared chemical weapons in July 2023 in the United States marked a historic achievement for the international disarmament community.
“With this chapter closed, our focus now shifts to ensuring that chemical weapons never re-emerge and to helping member states build the resilience needed to protect their populations,” Olowookere said.
He emphasized that Africa remains a priority for the OPCW due to the region’s specific challenges in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The organization, he said, provides expert guidance, technical support, and resources to enhance emergency preparedness, including risk assessments, personnel protection, detection, decontamination, and zone management.
The week-long course, part of the OPCW’s regional training program for English-speaking African countries, has drawn participants from across the continent to develop practical skills for responding to incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. (Xinhua)
