Chemical safety and security conference opens next Monday at The Hague

The Conference on International Cooperation and Chemical Safety and Security starting September 12 at The Hague will mull on the central theme of ''chemistry is used for the benefit of people''. Upwards of 200 international participants are expected to attend the two-day conference, organized by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to commemorate the International Year of Chemistry, the US Department of State said. The conference will seek to enhance support for the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention by focusing on the essential role that it plays in ensuring that chemistry is used exclusively for the good of humankind; this includes the areas of chemical safety, security and international cooperation. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) represents the singular legal instrument comprehensively banning chemical weapons and the misuse of chemistry, while ensuring that it is used only for peaceful purposes Strengthening safety and security at chemical plant sites and in transportation is essential in preventing the misuse and/or unintended release of toxic chemicals. US Representative to the OPCW Ambassador Robert Mikulak will lead the US delegation at the conference. The . delegation also includes the Coordinator for Threat Reduction Programmes Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins experts from the Department of State''s Chemical Security Engagement Programme (CSP) besides other US Government and chemical industry representatives. The Department of State is providing financial support for the conference, including funding to allow selected international participants to attend. To broaden its reach to audiences around the world, the conference will be featuring the first-ever live webcast of an OPCW event. The live webcast will cover the opening session in The Hague’s famous Peace Palace, featuring the Nobel Laureate for Chemistry Paul Crutzen, President of the American Chemical Society Nancy Jackson and prominent speakers from academia and industry.