The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, in collaboration with the Department of Industrial Works and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), hosted “the Regional Dialogue on Promoting Global Peace and Prosperity through Chemical Safety and Security: Celebrating 20 Years of the CWC and the OPCW” during 20 – 21 July 2017 in Bangkok. This event was aimed at raising awareness on the importance of chemical safety and security and their implications on the chemical industry and international trade and investment. The dialogue was organized as part of the commemorative activities for the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the establishment of the OPCW in 1997. Participants included representatives from the public and private sector as well as professional associations and academia in the Asia – Pacific region to share their experiences.

 

H.E. Mr. Chaisiri Anaman, Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presided over the opening ceremony.  In his remarks, he highlighted the need for the international community to act together in preventing and mitigating threats from non-state actors who may use destructive chemical weapons, or abuse advanced chemical technology, to conduct acts of terror or other forms of malicious intent. Chemical safety and security measures are crucial not only for building trust and confidence among states, but for facilitating trade, international transport, and technological advancement to benefit national development.  

 

Representatives and experts from the OPCW, as well as from relevant agencies in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, China, South Korea, and Australia, shared their experiences on best practices in implementing and applying chemical safety and security measures in the industrial sector, helping to strengthen national security policies and boost their countries’ standing in the international economic arena as responsible members of the international community. Such measures also improve labour standards, protect the environment, and facilitate trade and investment. Participants of the Regional Dialogue also visited the Thai MMA Co., Ltd. chemical plant, a subsidiary of SCG Chemicals, to see first-hand chemical safety and security applications in the Thai industrial sector.  

 

Thailand became a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention on 9 January 2003, and has always fully complied with its obligations. Although Thailand does not have chemical weapons, Thailand attaches importance to the Convention as the country stands to benefit from the peaceful use of advanced chemical technology and its application in various areas, which have greatly contributed to social and economic development. Thailand has closely cooperated with the OPCW to ensure compliance with the CWC by permitting inspections of its chemical facilities, and Thailand has benefited from capacity building programmes supported by the OPCW.

 

There are currently 192 States Parties to the CWC. During the past decade, the OPCW made significant contributions to the promotion of international peace and security and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.