Bahrain Participates in Chemical Weapons Convention Conference.

The Hague: A Bahraini delegation, led by Brigadier Samir Ahmed Al Zayani, First Deputy Chairman of the National Committee on the Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction and a representative of the Bahrain Defence Force, participated in the 29th Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, held in The Hague, Netherlands, from November 25 to 29, 2024. According to Bahrain News Agency, the delegation included Shaikh Hamad bin Salman Al Khalifa, Assistant Undersecretary for Domestic and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Brigadier Samir Ahmed congratulated Ambassador Almir Šahovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina on his election as Chair of the 29th session, expressing Bahrain's readiness to cooperate for the conference's success. Brigadier Samir praised the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) report, prepared by its Technical Secretariat, for enhancing the organisation's role in eliminating weapons of mass destruction and implementing the convent ion. He also highlighted the constructive cooperation between the OPCW and Bahrain's National Committee on the Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Further, Brigadier Samir commended Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General, for strengthening the organisation's role and advancing its objectives. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to international agreements banning weapons of mass destruction and its efforts to finalise legislative frameworks prohibiting these weapons. Brigadier Samir emphasized the importance of bolstering oversight bodies by linking relevant ministries and government entities to ensure the efficient and comprehensive implementation of these agreements. He renewed Bahrain's call for a Middle East free of weapons of mass destruction and stressed the importance of addressing the risks associated with these weapons, delivery systems, and the illicit trade in dual-use materials. He also highlighted the need to strengthen the universality of international agreements related to these issues and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the peaceful use of chemicals. Brigadier Samir noted the significance of transferring technology for chemical industries not prohibited under the convention to countries in need, supporting sustainable economic development and benefiting all parties involved.