Vietnam joins efforts to eliminate chemical weapons

 Vietnam always constructively coordinates with other members of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to raise the significance of the disarmament of weapons of mass destruction in general and chemical weapons in particular, said Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai.

Hai, who is also head of Vietnam’s national agency in charge of implementing the CWC, made the remarks at a reception for Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General of Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in Hanoi on May 7.

The official showed his support for the full observance of the CWC and condemned all actions using chemical weapons.

It is necessary to ensure legitimate rights and interests of countries in the development of the chemical industry for peaceful purposes, he stressed.

Vietnam highly values the OPCW’s support for the country by providing equipment and improving professional capacity for Vietnamese officials and experts in the chemical industry through training courses, conferences and workshops held by the organisation, he said.

Hai called on Ahmet Üzümcü to continue backing Vietnam in activities within the CWC, especially in chemical safety and security, and the application of green chemical access in chemical production.

Since Vietnam signed the CWC that was opened for signature in 1993 and adopted it in August 1998, the country has actively fulfilled its obligations as a member.

Vietnam issued legal documents for CWC implementation in 2005 which were amended and supplemented in 2014.

During the Vietnam visit in 2006, then OPCW General Director Rogelio Pfirter said Vietnam is one of the countries issuing the earliest and fullest legal regulations regarding CWC implementation, proving the Vietnamese government’s seriousness in implementing commitments it made upon signing the CWC.

Since the CWC took effect, ties between Vietnam and OPCW have progressed, especially in raising public awareness of chemical weapons and training of technical experts.

OPCW held seven conferences in Vietnam while the country also received delegations of OPCW inspectors coming to check data of chemical manufacturing facilities.

Vietnam has fully performed the duty of submitting annual report to OPCW in accordance with CWC’s regulations. The country has run for a seat at OPCW’s executive council for the 2016-2018 tenure.