OPCW ScientificAdvisory Board

Andrea Leisewitz V. PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology

MSc in Bioethics- Research Ethics

aleisewitz@santotomas.cl

Scientific Advisory Board

Why? Structure and Work

Benefits and Relevance for the

CWC implementation

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.

Obligation of the SP isNational implementation ofthe international Treaties

CWC

International Cooperation

Assistance and

Protection against CWs

Non-proliferation

(Verification)

Disarmament

(Destruction andVerification)

Treaty Implementation

Treaty Implementation requires Science!

• The CWC is built on a scientific foundation.

• Effective implementation requires technical expertise and scientific literacy for decision making.

• Science and technology underpin the very articles of the Convention, providing definition and guiding implementation

The Convention Mandates the State Parties to Discuss and Make Use of Science in

Treaty Implementation!!

States Parties should ‘review scientific and technological developments that could affect the operation of this Convention’.

The Convention Mandates the State Parties to Discuss and Make Use of Science in

Treaty Implementation!!

The Conference of States Parties shall: Review scientific and technological developments that could affect the operation of this Convention

How do 193 “State Parties” Discuss Science?

Participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention

Signed and ratified

Acceded

Signed but not ratified

Non-signatory

The Convention Mandates the State Parties to Discuss and Make Use of Science in

Treaty Implementation!!

To provide States Parties with the expertise needed for such a review, Article VIII, paragraph 21 (h) of the CWC mandates the establishment of a Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

• to monitor developments in science and technology and

• assess their impact on CWC implementation.

• The OPCW Conference of the States Parties addressed this issue in December 1997 instructing DG to establish such a body.

ScientificAdvisory Board

SAB is a subsidiary body of the OPCW

Enables Director-General (DG) to provide specialisedadvice on S&T to OPCW policy-making bodies and MemberStates

Reports to DG of the OPCW

DG makes the Board’s reports and his response available to the Executive Council and public

Every 5 Years, SAB prepares a comprehensive report forsubmission to the Review Conference

The SAB held its first meeting in 1998 and meets once or twice per year at the OPCW’s headquarters in The Hague.

Conferenceof SP

TechnicalSecretariat

ExecutiveCouncil

SABOPCW

DG

Scientific Advisory Board: structure

• 25 experts in one or more technical fields relevant to the Convention.

• Members serve in their individual capacity as independent experts.

• States Parties nominate candidates to the Director-General (expertise, geographical balance).

• 3 year appointment (renewed once)

• Members are drawn from universities, industry, defenceorganisations and other institutions.

• Every year the SAB elects a Chair and Vice-Chair from its members.

• Technical Secretariat provides support for SAB activities and funding for SAB activities comes from the OPCW’s regular budget and voluntary contributions.

SAB sessions (1 or 2/ year)

• Interaction with scientific Experts at regular meetings experts from other international organisations, scientific institutes and industry associations

• Report elaboration to DG

• Every 5 Years, SAB prepares a comprehensive report forsubmission to the ReviewConference

Temporary Working Groups

• Provide recommendations on specific issues within specific timeframes by DG’s request

• DG + SAB establish a TWG• SAB Chairperson appoints one

member of the SAB to chair each TWG

• DG appoints additional experts as members of the group based on suggestions from OPCW member states and the SAB.

• Only citizens of member states• When finished it submits a

report of its findings to the SAB and Director-General

Other

• Specific requests for advice from Director-General

• Interaction with scientific Experts at conferences, workshops

• Scientific Literature reviews• Members of the SAB and its

working groups also share their views with the scientific and industry communities by presenting at conferences.

• Some issues require immediate consideration (intersessional responses to urgent requests for advice)

How does the board work to provide guidance?

RC-(n) 1 SAB

Session

1 SAB session

1 SAB session

2 SAB sessions

2 SAB sessions

RC-(n+1) 1 SAB

session

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Possibility for Temporary Working Groups and DG’s requests

SAB workshops interaction with experts at conferences, workshops, etc.

Report 6-9 months before

RC- (n+1)

Possibility forrequests to brief

State Parties

Every 5 Years, SAB prepares a comprehensive report for submission to the Review Conference

TWG: from the third to the fourth RC

Workshops: from the third to the fourth RC

Responses to DG´s requests from the third to the fourth RC

SAB´s recommendations to the fourth RC o f the CWC

Assitanceand

Protection

S&T ofRelevance to

chemicalsafety

&securityScienceliteracy and

scienceadvice

S&T ofrelevance toVerification

Tech. Forthe delivery

toxicchemicals &

drugs

Advances in S&T

Key Elements of an Effective Scientific Advisory Mechanism

The SAB enables theOPCW’s Director-General toprovide specialized adviceon S&T to SP

What happens after??

Scientific Advisory

Board

OPCWDirector- General

States Parties Conference

Engage diplomats

OPCWTechnical

Secretariat

Key Elements of an Effective Scientific Advisory Mechanism

Scientific Advisory

Board

OPCWDirector- General

States Parties Conference

Engage diplomats

OPCWTechnical

Secretariat

Director-General’s responsesand recommendations setdirection for taking adviceforward, guide the Board’sprogramme of work andcommunicate salient pointsto States Parties.

Formal responses to SAB session reports and recommendations

Opening remarks to SAB Sessions and consultations with SAB leadership

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.

Obligation of the SP isNational implementation ofthe international Treaties

Scientific Advisory

Board

OPCWDirector- General

States Parties Conference

National actions

SAB mechanism: communication loop

Treaty = Agreement between states

National Compliance = laws and regulations

Other actions

Engage diplomats

OPCWTechnical

Secretariat

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.

Obligation of the SP isNational implementation ofthe international Treaties

Scientific Advisory

Board

OPCWDirector- General

States Parties Conference

National actions

SAB mechanism: communication loop

Treaty = Agreement between states

National Compliance = laws and regulations

Other actions

Engage diplomats

OPCWTechnical

SecretariatSAB briefings to SP delgations

Science for Diplomats Initiative

PROMOTING DIALOGUE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY

The OPCW’s mission is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve our vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.

Obligation of the SP isNational implementation ofthe international Treaties

Scientific Advisory

Board

OPCWDirector- General

States Parties Conference

National actions

SAB mechanism: communication loop

Treaty = Agreement between states

National Compliance = laws and regulations

Other actions

Engage diplomats

OPCWTechnical

SecretariatSAB briefings to SP delgations

Science for Diplomats Initiative

PROMOTING DIALOGUE BETWEEN SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY

OPCW’s Science Policy Advisor supports the Board asSAB Secretary.The Secretary facilitates the work of the Board, ensuringthere is visibility and connection to the stakeholders of itsadvice (which include the staff of the OPCW and the StatesParties).

Feedback mechanism and productive discourse with recipients of advice and recommendations

Independent and scientifically credible

Considers all relevant information and provides evidence-based advice

Promotes and strengthens scientific literacy for decision making

Visible and supported (with both a facilitator and funding) within its “ecosystem”

Therefore… Advisory board should be independent, objective and active

Key Elements of an Effective Scientific Advisory Mechanism

Conclusion

Monitoring Science & Technology by an engaged independent objective and active

body is important

• For Convention implementation (look for tools for disarmament, detection, verification)

• To find new tools to recognize when something is “not right”

• To guide diplomats and politicians to make scientifically informed deliberations and decision

There are some key elements to enable a Scientific Advisory Mechanism

• Well-defined Line or report• Supporting structure (OPCW) and human

resources (facilitator) to relate to relevant stakeholders

• Assure a communication loop