OPCW Table Top Exercise to reduce the risks of toxic industrial chemicals being acquired or used for terrorist purpose General background 1
Introduction Project VII of the EU Council Decision 2009 of 27 July 2009 on the preparedness of States Parties to prevent and respond to attacks involving chemicals which this table-top exercise is an element of 2
Introduction - contd. It aims to contribute to the development of the capacities of national industry to reduce the risks of a terrorist attack with the use of toxic industrial chemicals. prevent terrorist access to materials, equipment, and knowledge that could be used in the development and production of chemical weapons.
Introduction contd. UN Security Council resolution No. 1540 (2004) obliges all Member States to implement effective law and administrative enforcement to prevent access to WMD by non-state actors and their activity at areas of nuclear, chemical,and biological weapons Annual resolution of UN General Assembly (No. 64/46, 2010) in regards to implementation of the CWC states: complete and effective implementation of all requirements of the CWC, including implementation of State Parties resources (art. VII) and assistance and protection against CW (art. 10) is an important part of the UN efforts in global fight against terrorist in all its forms24 4
Role of the OPCW The OPCW Second Review Conference (RC-2) noted increasing threat of the use of chemical weapons by non-state actors such as terrorists The RC-2 reaffirmed concerns expressed at the First Review Conference that chemical facilities may become subject to attacks or other incidents that could lead to the release or theft of toxic chemicals. The RC-2 welcomed the fact that some States Parties had taken measures to minimize such risks and encouraged States Parties to exchange experiences and discuss related issues. The RC-2 noted the value of Article X in this respect and the role of the OPCW as a forum for consultation and cooperation among the States and other relevant international organisations and agencies active in this field. 5
Role of the Technical Secretariat Supports initiatives aimed at minimizing risk connected with attacks on or failures of chemical plants which could lead to release or stealing of toxic chemical substances. Initiated work on strategy how OPCW can contribute to enhancing security of chemical installations. It prescribes OPCW role as an umbrella organisation supporting global cooperation in the scope of reduction of chemical threat, by promotion of information exchange on chemical security good practices and cooperation between experts. Develops partnership relations with respective regional and international organisations in particular with international agencies involved in chemical security: industry associations, private sector and concerned citizen s society, in proliferating knowledge about CWC Director of the 6
Table Top exercise - thesis The table-top exercise is jointly organized by the Government of Poland and the Secretariat of the OPCW, Exercise will examine cross-government decision making, information exchange, and conditions to be met to receive assistance from relevant national and international organisations in preventing terrorist attacks against chemical plants. The exercise project is fully compatible with the OPCW TS activities in field of terrorism prevention, which are aimed to build cooperation and implementation of specific projects within art. X of the Convention 7
Top Table exercise - thesis The table-top exercise is primarily aimed at the countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus, as well as the relevant international organisations. Participation is open to representatives of all interested governments and international organisations. The ultimate exercise goal is to improve safety and security by enhancing information exchange and coordination in the attending States Parties, and relevant international organisations The program of the table-top exercise will comprise relevant presentations, on the improvised chemical devices issues, on the available experience and expertise in the countries of the region and in the relevant international organisations that can be offered to the States Parties Practical training and live presentations related to the prevention of terrorist acts with the use of toxic chemicals will also be conducted. 8
Players Exercise Players Intelligence, homeland security, police, attorney Fire-fighters, first responders, local crisis management centre, affected company, management, chemical disaster unit, security, others Foreign Office, international actors: NATO, EU, teams from other state parties as parallel passive participants (observers). Each player represent her/his organisation acting within the scope drawn in the Exercise Manual 9
Exercise core elements Preparation and Training Conduct Evaluation 10
Exercise expected results Identify issues unique to conjunction of terrorism and chemical security Strengthen national rules of chemical security Increase abilities of government agencies, national authorities, chemical plants management, and other relevant national agencies: to interoperate To efficiently response in case of terrorist attack with use of toxic chemicals and to minimize risk of unauthorized access to materials, equipment and knowledge, to improve information exchange and coordination of activities within the region and with international organisations 11
Exercise expected results To create a model for similar trainings in the various regions of the World To prepare a set of good practices and a model training manual To foster international organisation and promote the idea of World free of chemical risks 12
Exercise outcome Proceedings Outline for propagation Code of good practice. 13