As part of its cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Ministry of National Defense is organizing the second edition of the Regional Seminar on Sampling and Analysis in a Highly Contaminated Environment, led by OPCW experts and Algerian specialists, from December 18 to 21, 2022, at the National Army Circle and the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (INCC/GN). The opening ceremony of this seminar was chaired by General Berroumana Sid Ahmed, Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie, who, in his opening address, first thanked the OPCW for choosing Algeria to host this seminar on a regular and ongoing basis, which aims to increase and strengthen the technical capacities of African States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). He also emphasized that this event is part of the partnership between Algeria and the OPCW.
Taking into account the current global security context, the Chief of Staff of the National Gendarmerie reiterated Algeria’s commitments to further develop its technical and operational capabilities in the field of protection and assistance against chemical weapons, in order to respond to any emergency situation. He also highlighted the role of specialized laboratories in the analysis of dangerous chemical agents, meeting the required technical standards in this field, in achieving the objectives of the CWC.
Furthermore, General BELHADJ Boualem, Executive Secretary of the Interministerial Committee for the Implementation of the CWC, stated: “The main objective of this regional seminar is to promote the capabilities for assistance and protection against chemical warfare agents and the expertise of specialists from the States Parties to the CWC, in their capacity as first responders and those responsible for sampling and analysis operations in a highly contaminated environment, in the event of a chemical attack or incident, in accordance with the provisions of Article X of the CWC.”
To this end, he emphasized that the seminar’s work will be structured around five (5) modules, namely: sampling, personal protective equipment, decontamination and analysis, as well as the medical component relating to first aid in the event of a chemical attack.
During her speech, Ambassador Abdelhak Salima, Head of the Permanent Diplomatic Representation of Algeria to the OPCW, emphasized the importance of this event, which is part of the ongoing cooperation activities between our country and the Organization, as well as the efforts made by Algeria to fulfill its commitments to the CWC, whose purpose remains the promotion of the peaceful use of chemistry.
Finally, the work of this activity included ten (10) theoretical presentations and five (5) practical sessions, carried out at the INCC/GN of Bouchaoui, where a guided tour of its dangerous agents laboratory was organized for the benefit of OPCW experts and all African and national participants.
