Official Statement of MND
03rd October 2023
General Saïd CHANEGRIHA, Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, chairs the opening of the VIP Day of the “Chemex-Africa” exercise for the States Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the Africa Region
Under the high patronage of the President of the Republic, Supreme Chief of the Armed Forces, Minister of National Defence, a VIP Day was held today, Tuesday, 3rd October, 2023, at the Maritime Pines Exhibition Center of Algiers, within the "Chemex-Africa" Exercise for the States-Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in the Africa Region, organized by Algeria in collaboration with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
General, Chief of Staff of People’s National Army, chaired the opening ceremony of this event, in presence of Prime Minister Aymane BENABDERRAHMANE, his Excellency Ambassador Fernando Arias Gonzàlez, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, her Excellency Ambassador Odette Melono, Deputy Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Diplomatic Weapons, numerous Ministers, Heads of diplomatic delegations accredited in Algeria of the countries taking part to this event and high level representatives of African organizations.
On this occasion, the General delivered an address in which he welcomed all the participants, expressing his sincere gratitude to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for choosing our country to organize this international event. In this context, he emphasized that Algeria is convinced of the need to strengthen international security and peace, through the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, which constitute a real threat to mankind and the future of humanity:
“Algeria is honored to host this important event and has great appreciation for the joint initiative, undertaken by our national authority and the Organization’s Technical Secretariat, to strengthen and develop technical expertise in the prevention and prohibition of chemical weapons, for the States-Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, of the African region.
Algeria reiterates its firm belief in the need to consolidate international security and peace, through the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, which constitute a serious threat to mankind and the very future of humanity”.
Mr. General pointed out that the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in a quasi-global manner in Africa is proof of the commitment of its countries not to hold or develop such weapons:
"This Convention remains the only multilaterally negotiated, non-discriminatory instrument, capable of destroying all stocks of Chemical Weapons, and prohibiting the development and production of any new kinds, which can further complicate this issue and its hazard on mankind.
The quasi-global implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in Africa, proves of the commitment of African countries, not to hold or develop such weapons".
Mr. General hoped that the Organization and other partners in this area will pay special attention to the Organization’s Africa programme, while ensuring its sustainability and taking into account the regional reality and the actual needs of our continent:
"There is also a need to strengthen border control of the dual-use chemical’s flow. Improving the regulations for these fields of activity, will address the security challenges inherent to the likelihood of misuse of chemicals by terrorist groups.
Taking these considerations into account, we hope that the Organization and other partners in this area will pay special attention to the Organization’s Africa programme, ensuring its sustainability, and taking into account the regional reality and the actual needs of our continent” .
For his part, Mr. Fernando Arias González, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, highlighted the material and human resources that Algeria deployed to success this international manifestation, in which participated trainees, evaluators and international observers of different nationalities:
“In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the professionalism regarded by all participants in “Chemex-Africa”: Mr. Prime Minister, the Chief of Staff, and distinguished ministers. Algeria has once again proven that it is a leader in the field of diplomacy and multilateral partnership, therefore thank you for the warm hospitality we received. And for all attained the efforts, I would like to express my gratitude to Algeria for hosting this event and for the success achieved by this exercise”
It should be mentioned that the VIP Day programme included the conduct of an exercise simulating a terrorist chemical attack, by trainees from African countries, including Algeria, followed by the opening of an exhibition for professionals in the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive) field, as well as specialized companies and organizations concerned with the Convention. On this occasion, a commemorative post stamp of the "Chemex-Africa" event was issued in presence of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
General, Chief of Staff of People’s National Army, chaired the opening ceremony of this event, in presence of Prime Minister Aymane BENABDERRAHMANE, his Excellency Ambassador Fernando Arias Gonzàlez, Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, her Excellency Ambassador Odette Melono, Deputy Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Diplomatic Weapons, numerous Ministers, Heads of diplomatic delegations accredited in Algeria of the countries taking part to this event and high level representatives of African organizations.
On this occasion, the General delivered an address in which he welcomed all the participants, expressing his sincere gratitude to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for choosing our country to organize this international event. In this context, he emphasized that Algeria is convinced of the need to strengthen international security and peace, through the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, which constitute a real threat to mankind and the future of humanity:
“Algeria is honored to host this important event and has great appreciation for the joint initiative, undertaken by our national authority and the Organization’s Technical Secretariat, to strengthen and develop technical expertise in the prevention and prohibition of chemical weapons, for the States-Parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, of the African region.
Algeria reiterates its firm belief in the need to consolidate international security and peace, through the elimination of weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, which constitute a serious threat to mankind and the very future of humanity”.
Mr. General pointed out that the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in a quasi-global manner in Africa is proof of the commitment of its countries not to hold or develop such weapons:
"This Convention remains the only multilaterally negotiated, non-discriminatory instrument, capable of destroying all stocks of Chemical Weapons, and prohibiting the development and production of any new kinds, which can further complicate this issue and its hazard on mankind.
The quasi-global implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in Africa, proves of the commitment of African countries, not to hold or develop such weapons".
Mr. General hoped that the Organization and other partners in this area will pay special attention to the Organization’s Africa programme, while ensuring its sustainability and taking into account the regional reality and the actual needs of our continent:
"There is also a need to strengthen border control of the dual-use chemical’s flow. Improving the regulations for these fields of activity, will address the security challenges inherent to the likelihood of misuse of chemicals by terrorist groups.
Taking these considerations into account, we hope that the Organization and other partners in this area will pay special attention to the Organization’s Africa programme, ensuring its sustainability, and taking into account the regional reality and the actual needs of our continent” .
For his part, Mr. Fernando Arias González, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, highlighted the material and human resources that Algeria deployed to success this international manifestation, in which participated trainees, evaluators and international observers of different nationalities:
“In conclusion, I would like to acknowledge the professionalism regarded by all participants in “Chemex-Africa”: Mr. Prime Minister, the Chief of Staff, and distinguished ministers. Algeria has once again proven that it is a leader in the field of diplomacy and multilateral partnership, therefore thank you for the warm hospitality we received. And for all attained the efforts, I would like to express my gratitude to Algeria for hosting this event and for the success achieved by this exercise”
It should be mentioned that the VIP Day programme included the conduct of an exercise simulating a terrorist chemical attack, by trainees from African countries, including Algeria, followed by the opening of an exhibition for professionals in the CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive) field, as well as specialized companies and organizations concerned with the Convention. On this occasion, a commemorative post stamp of the "Chemex-Africa" event was issued in presence of the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications.
