Representatives from the GCC customs departments were introduced yesterday to the technical aspects of transporting chemical materials, especially those for dual use.
The sub-regional training course for GCC customs authorities was inaugurated yesterday by Staff Major General (Air) Nasser bin Mohamed al-Ali, chairman of Qatar National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons (NCPW).
The two-day training has been organised by Doha Regional Centre for Training on Conventions on Weapons of Mass Destruction in co-operation with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the seventh consecutive year. It aims at enhancing the awareness and capabilities of customs officers in the region on related issues.
Pankaj Sharma, representative of OPCW, briefed the officials about the history of chemical weapons and their use in different wars in various forms. He pointed out that the world recognised the imminent risk such weapons pose for human existence and well-being. Accordingly, a convention was agreed upon to ban such weapons and limit their use.
A presentation was given to introduce the trainees to dual use chemicals, which has a potential of being used to manufacture chemical weapons, while they can be also used for common industrial purposes.
The customs inspectors were briefed on the necessary procedures to be taken when handling such substances at the various entry points of the country, such as verifying the documents on source certificate and the purchase order, besides ensuring that the targeted destination of any such cargo would actually use it for the designated industrial purpose.
The concluding day of the training, which is today, will include training on risk assessment and management and an open discussion on the various import and export scenarios, among other related topics.
The training is being held under the patronage of Staff Major General (Air) Ghanim bin Shahin al-Ghanim, Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces.
Staff Major General (Air) Nasser bin Mohamed al-Ali and other officials at the opening session yesterday.
