Chemical Weapons Convention Partnerships

Today in Brisbane I will address the Subregional Forum on National Implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention for Pacific Island Countries.

The forum is co-hosted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) Malaysia and the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO).

It is critically important that we work with our partners in the region to address the very serious threats posed by the re-emergence of chemical weapons.

The Forum will bring together regional experts to discuss countering chemical weapons - with a particular focus on building chemical security and safety within the Pacific.

I will meet Director General of the OPCW, Fernando Arias, to discuss his vision for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) ahead of the Fifth Review Conference in May 2023.

I will also meet Chairman of the NACWC Malaysia Ambassador Zainol Rahim Zainuddin to discuss the ongoing relationship between ASNO and NACWC Malaysia. ASNO and Malaysia have successfully partnered this year to share knowledge, skills and experience under a formal OPCW program.