Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr Fauziah Mohamad Taib at the 13th Conference of the States Parties, which was held at the OPCW from 3 - 5 December 2008
THE 13TH SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE OF STATES PARTIES
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR DR FAUZIAH MOHAMAD TAIB, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA TO THE ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, THE HAGUE, 3 DECEMBER 2008
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Mr Chairman,
May I say, on behalf of the delegation of Malaysia, how pleased we are to see you in the Chair of this 13th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. The number ‘13’ to many is a prominent number, with all its implicit connotations, but I have no doubt that with you at this Conference’s helm, we will see a successful conclusion at the week’s end. My congratulations are also extended to the members of the 13th Bureau, whose appointments we recently endorsed.
2. In the same vein, allow me to express my delegation’s gratitude to the outgoing Chairman, His Excellency Ambassador Abuelgasim Abdelwahid Sheikh Idris of Sudan for his outstanding stewardship of the 12th Session of the Conference of States Parties.
3. Malaysia would also like to express its appreciation for Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter’s clear and comprehensive presentation of the work of the OPCW thus far. We trust that his statement and the reports that we have before us will provide a sound basis for the deliberations of the next few days.
4. My delegation wishes to associate itself with the Joint Statement of the NAM CWC States Parties and China which was delivered by His Excellency Mr Oscar de los Reyes Ramos of Cuba.
Mr Chairman,
5. From 7 to 18 April of this year, the OPCW held its Second Review Conference. This was a distinctive opportunity for States Parties to review once more the operation of the CWC. Malaysia is happy to note that the principle of consensus still remains the bedrock of the proceedings within the OPCW. As we all know, consensus-building is probably the hardest of all negotiations approach. Voting is by far the easiest way out. No one has to move or to seek a compromise. But with a consensus, everyone compromises. What is even more notable about the Second Review Conference of the OPCW is perhaps its success. While a number of the other Review Conferences in the area of disarmament remain deadlocked and stagnant, it is heartening to see that the OPCW remains vibrant and strong in its push forward. A total of 33 countries have joined the OPCW since the First Review Conference five years ago – bringing the OPCW closest to any other Convention in terms of universal participation.
6. One of my favourite comediennes once quipped, “Eighty percent of success is in showing up”. If this is so, then the Second Review Conference only saw an increase of one additional state party as a participant to the Conference, compared to the First Review Conference’s 113 State Parties. But I believe that success also lies in the active participation of all members to the Conference. And in this, the Second Review Conference delivered, especially with the active debates on the verification system, the importance of implementing legislation, and confidence-building and cooperation among State Parties, to name but a few. In the space of five short years, fast-paced innovations in the field of science and technology have had an impact on the operation of the Convention itself, making the convening of the Review Conference this year even more relevant.
7. Malaysia remains concerned over the slow pace of the complete destruction of chemical weapons and chemical weapons facilities. We stress that the destruction of chemical weapons and associated facilities is the central objective of the CWC. In this regard, the compliance with the deadlines as set forth in the Convention constitutes an integral part of the undertakings by the Chemical Weapons Possessor States to destroy their chemical weapons. Merely paying lip-service to an obligation which is mandatory under international law does not bode well for the system as a whole, and creates distrust in addition to disrespect for the sanctity of international law.
8. Malaysia welcomes the new establishment or designation of the National Authority for four additional States Parties, namely Afghanistan, Cambodia, the Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau. This is an encouraging development given the Plan of Action on the implementation of Article VII obligation as well as the decision of the 10th CSP. It is well worth pointing out however that as of 15 September 2008, the number of States Parties that have yet to establish or designate their National Authority remains at seven. This is still an acceptable single-digit number, given the progress we have achieved over the years. But the journey is far from over. This is why Malaysia is convinced that it is even more imperative that the Technical Secretariat and other States Parties provide meaningful assistance and technical support. Only through close cooperation with each other can the objectives of the Plan of Action on implementation of Article VII be effectively realised.
Mr Chairman,
9. Malaysia ratified the Convention in April 2000. Since then, we have upheld our obligation under the Convention by continuously submitting our annual declaration of past and anticipated activities associated with scheduled chemicals and discrete organic chemicals within our possession. To date, Malaysia has received three international inspections on its OCPFs in 2007, and one inspection recently this year. The inspections proceeded smoothly with the full cooperation of the Malaysian National Authority and were successfully completed.
10. Malaysia acknowledges that the frequency of inspections and the OCPF site selection methodology are important but complex subjects. On these subjects, my delegation underlines that the Convention clearly sets out the hierarchy of risks posed by different chemicals to its object and purpose. While we have not found the selection methodology agreed by all, my delegation is hopeful that with the able leadership of the recently appointed facilitators, we would be able to come out with a new improved methodology.
11. With regard to Article XI, Malaysia attaches great importance to a balanced implementation of all aspects of the Convention. In this respect, we believe that the full effective and non-discriminatory implementation of this Article is essential for the realisation of the object and purpose of the Convention. We therefore look forward to a full cooperation of all States Parties in achieving the full implementation of this Article.
Mr Chairman,
12. The transfer of scheduled chemicals between States Parties – if not properly monitored – can lead to the diversion of these toxic chemicals for non-peaceful purposes. With this in mind, the Royal Malaysian Customs Training Academy (AKMAL) played host to the Subregional Training Course for Customs Authorities in Southeast Asia on the Technical Aspects of the Transfers’ Regime of the CWC. The course, which was conducted by the OPCW took place in Melaka, from 6 to 9 October 2008. Twenty-two participants from eight States Parties, namely, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the training course. In the spirit of cooperation and camaraderie, two participants from Myanmar, a State not Party to the CWC also took part in the training course. Funding in this instance was provided by the Republic of Korea.
13. During the training course, the participants received important information on practical ways in implementing the Convention’s provisions, with the aim of eliminating discrepancies between the quantities of scheduled chemicals declared by importing and exporting States Parties in respect of the same transfers. Practical exercises and group discussions designed to enhance the States Parties’ capacity to effectively track the import and export of scheduled chemicals were also held. Due to the overwhelming requests, Malaysia would like to once again offer its Royal Malaysian Customs Academy for training or courses related to the technical aspects of Customs.
14. On a positive note and part of Malaysia’s own national initiative, Malaysia has drafted a manual of inspections for use at the national level. The manual sets out guidelines to be followed by the domestic inspectors when doing routine inspections at chemical-based local industries. In this way, things will be in order when the OPCW inspectors come a-calling.
15. As a State Party to the Convention, Malaysia has benefited from the international cooperation programmes organised by the OPCW which focus on capacity building. Malaysia has particularly benefited from the Internship Support Programmes as well the OPCW Associate Programmes, and the Laboratory Assistance Exchange Programme. In July, the Technical Secretariat conducted an Advanced Training on Inspections related to the CWC for Malaysia’s National Inspectors in Terengganu, on the east coast of Malaysia. We look forward to more constructive cooperation with the Technical Secretariat in enhancing Malaysia’s national capacity to meet its obligations under the Convention.
Mr Chairman,
16. This is the second decade in OPCW’s young history. As States Parties, we need to keep the momentum of the first decade going – in terms of the universality of the Convention, and in terms of the relevance of the treaty. But all this requires a lot of effort and firm commitment from States Parties. Malaysia, on its part, reiterates its commitment to the goals of the Convention. We are determined to work with other States Parties and the policy making organs of the OPCW for the full realisation of the Convention as a whole.
Thank you.
