Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands presents credentials to the OPCW

Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands M Riaz Hamidullah presented his credentials as permanent representative of Bangladesh to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on Friday.

Ambassador M Riaz Hamidullah presented his credentials to Fernando Arias, director-general of the organisation, read a press release issued by the Embassy of Bangladesh in The Hague.

OPCW Deputy Director-General Odette Melono was also present during the ceremony.

OPCW's director-general lauded Bangladesh's contributions to world peace and commitment to ridding the world of chemical weapons. He also touched upon different issues of mutual interest; including international cooperation for the promotion of peaceful use of chemistry. 

Ambassador Hamidullah praised the leadership of Ambassador Fernando Arias as the director-general of the organisation. He suggested OPCW focus on the economic and technological development of its member states–particularly developing countries like Bangladesh–in addition to fulfilling its mandate of chemical disarmament. 

Highlighting scientific developments in the areas of chemistry and biology–particularly, the convergence of chemistry and biology and development in related technology– Hamidullah underscored the necessity of OPCW's active support for Bangladesh as a large emerging economy; in capacity-building of the relevant institutions as well as education and outreach to the chemical industry plus students of chemical engineering, chemistry and biochemistry at the university level. 

He recommended scholarships for interns and junior professional officers from developing countries to foster geographical diversity in the organisation and also contribute to promoting the peaceful use of chemistry in those countries. 

The OPCW won a Nobel Prize for Peace in 2013 for its contribution to ridding the world of chemical weapons to an extent never seen before. The organisation implements the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention with 193 States as its members. 

Bangladesh signed the Chemical Weapons Convention on 14 January 1993 and ratified it on 25 April 1997. Bangladesh is currently an elected member of the 41-member Executive Council of OPCW as well as the chair of the committee of the whole of its Conference of the States Parties.