OPCW mentorship and partnership between India and Kenya held in Nairobi

Government Chemist (State Department for Internal Security and National Administration), designated National Authority of Kenya for the Implementation of the Chemical Weapon Convention hosted a delegation of National Authority of India (Office of the Prime Minister) for five-day discussion between the two National Authorities towards assisting Kenya effective implementation of the convention under the OPCW mentorship and partnership programme.

The meeting brought together representative from Government chemist, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the Attorney General, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Ports Authority, National Disaster Management Unit, Technical University of Kenya, Kenya Association of Manufacture and Representative of the National Authority of India.

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty that aims to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by States Parties. Kenya became a State Party on 29^th April 1997.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the international implementing arm of the Convention and coordinates all State Parties to ensure compliance with the various provisions of the CWC.

The OPCW runs a Mentorship and Partnership Programme (MPP) that supports exchange visits between two National Authorities that are designed to complement the work of its Secretariat by making the knowledge, skills, and experience of an advanced and experienced National Authority available to a National Authority that requires advisory support for the effective implementation of its obligations under the provisions of the Convention.

In 2023 Kenya applied for Mentorship under the programme to be assisted in the following thematic areas of the convention namely; enactment of National Implementing Legislation, development of national implementation plan, strengthening laboratory capabilities, enhancing strategic coordination and knowledge management. The application was accepted by the OPCW and National Authority of India was identified as the mentor.

This mentorship programme will go a long way in promoting international cooperation in peaceful uses of chemistry, reducing chemical threats, enhancing chemical safety and security and ensuring terror organization do not access toxic chemicals that are a threat to national peace and security.

The programme also intends to build capacity in the area of prevention, preparedness and response to emergencies related to toxic chemicals.