As the global chemical industry grows more advanced and interconnected, governments are under increasing pressure to meet the complex declaration and inspection obligations of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
To sharpen real-world readiness, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Malaysia convened regulators and industry representatives from across Asia and beyond for intensive, hands-on training in Kuala Lumpur.
The three-day programme focused on inspection preparedness, practical implementation, and closer cooperation with industry — all aimed at ensuring toxic chemicals are used strictly for peaceful purposes.
It marked a milestone: the first in-person Article VI training organised by the OPCW since 2022. Unlike virtual sessions, the workshop placed participants in realistic operational scenarios, requiring them to work through procedures that mirror actual OPCW inspections, from declaration review to on-site coordination.
A pilot format also tested a new approach by grouping countries with similar chemical industry profiles and inspection responsibilities. This structure encouraged targeted discussions and peer-to-peer learning rooted in shared operational realities, making the training directly relevant to national implementation challenges.
One of the most significant elements was a mock inspection carried out at an operational industrial facility. Participants stepped into the inspector’s role in a live environment — reviewing declarations, engaging with plant personnel, and managing inspection workflows in real time.
“The practical nature of the course and the opportunity to exchange best practices from national experience made the training particularly valuable,” explained Raja Subramaniam, Undersecretary of Malaysia’s National Authority for the implementation of the CWC.
“This training initiative is a timely response to the rapid expansion and increasing complexity of the chemical industry in the region,” said Subramaniam. “The training provided a critical platform to deepen technical understanding of verification and declaration requirements while fostering a more harmonised approach to national implementation across OPCW Member States.”
In total, 33 participants from 11 countries took part.
The OPCW said the initiative is part of a broader effort to adapt implementation support to evolving industry conditions, strengthen cooperation with the chemical sector, and improve global inspection readiness. It also reinforces the organisation’s core mandate: ensuring chemistry is used exclusively for peaceful purposes.
Under the CWC framework, states must declare relevant toxic chemicals, production facilities, and related industrial activities to the OPCW. Inspectors then conduct routine site visits worldwide to verify that activities align with peaceful use and treaty compliance.
These inspections form the backbone of the Convention’s verification system, reinforcing international confidence that chemical industries are not being diverted for prohibited purposes.
Alongside inspections, the OPCW provides technical guidance and capacity-building support to national authorities and industry, helping them prepare while safeguarding sensitive commercial information.
Established as the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees a global regime involving 193 Member States. Since the treaty entered into force in 1997, it has become the most successful disarmament agreement eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
By 2023, the OPCW had verified the irreversible destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles — a total of 72,304 metric tonnes of toxic agents — under its strict verification system.
