GABORONE, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- A general regional training course opened on Tuesday in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, with the aim of strengthening Africa's capabilities in preventing the proliferation of chemical weapons.
The event, organized by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), brings together national authorities and key stakeholders to reinforce the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The three-day program focuses on building practical skills for declaration, verification, and inter-agency coordination, which is critical for upholding the international treaty.
In her opening remarks, Elena Gjoreska, project manager of the OPCW and head of the delegation, acknowledged the "great progress" and "stronger coordination" seen across the African region.
However, she emphasized that persistent challenges make continued capacity building essential.
"This course directly aims to support exploring the objectives of the convention, the role of the national authorities, and the practical aspects of declarations and verification," Gjoreska said. "Through our interactive sessions, we will deepen your understanding, exchange good practices, and strengthen national systems."
Botswana's Assistant Minister for State President Maipelo Mophuting reaffirmed the country's unwavering commitment to the "full, fair, and effective implementation" of the CWC, terming the event a testament to Africa's growing role in global security initiatives.
"By hosting this event, we highlight Africa's capacity to build solutions and contribute to global peace through regional collaborations," Mophuting said.
She also expressed confidence that the knowledge gained will "ripple across borders and generations," creating a lasting impact on both regional and global security.
The OPCW has 193 member states committed to the CWC, with 52 of those members coming from the African continent. ■