African States Gather in Namibia to Advance Chemical Weapons Convention Implementation. Representatives from 27 African States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) convened in Windhoek for a two-day regional conference aimed at advancing national implementation legislation in line with the Convention’s obligations.
The event, hosted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in collaboration with the National Authority of the Republic of Namibia, provided a platform for government officials, legal experts, and international stakeholders to share experiences and discuss practical steps for developing and strengthening national legislation to enforce the Convention.
The conference was officially opened by Namibia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industrialisation, Mines and Energy, Hon. Natangwe Iithete. In his remarks, Hon. Iithete reaffirmed Namibia’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and underscored the role of national implementation in protecting public safety, enhancing national security, and supporting regional peace and development.
Participants engaged in discussions focused on legislative drafting, inter-agency coordination, and capacity building, with support from the OPCW Technical Secretariat and other experts. The forum highlighted regional challenges while also showcasing best practices from member states that have advanced their legislative frameworks.
The Chemical Weapons Convention, which prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, requires states to adopt domestic laws to ensure full compliance. The Windhoek conference plays a crucial role in supporting African states in this effort, contributing to global disarmament and security.
As the region continues to work towards full implementation of the Convention, the collaboration and exchange fostered at this conference mark a significant step toward a safer, chemical weapons-free Africa.