The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in partnership with the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), convened a regional workshop entitled Implementing and Enforcing Legislation: The Chemical Weapons Convention and Chemical Security in Africa in Rabat, Morocco, from 6 to 8 October 2026.
The workshop brought together more than 60 participants from 22 African States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Angola, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia.
The Rabat workshop was the third in a series of joint OPCW–UNICRI regional capacity-building events funded by the European Union. With the completion of the Africa workshop, the initiative has reached 41 States Parties across three regions.
The initiative builds on the first workshop held in Ankara, Türkiye, in June 2025 for Central Asia, and the second workshop held in Manila, Philippines, in June 2026 for South and Southeast Asia. Together, these activities are fostering an expanding interregional network of chemical security practitioners committed to strengthening implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and preventing the misuse of toxic chemicals.
Building a Network of Chemical Security Practitioners in Africa
The workshop brought together policymakers, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, police and gendarmerie officers, customs and border control personnel, military representatives, and officials from National Authorities responsible for implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Participants exchanged national experiences and good practices, examined common legislative and operational challenges, and explored practical approaches for translating international obligations into effective national legislation and enforcement measures. International and regional experts delivered a comprehensive programme combining expert presentations, practical case studies, and interactive exercises aimed at strengthening both policy and operational capacities. Discussions were complemented by a tabletop exercise designed to test coordination and decision-making in response to a simulated chemical security incident.
From Policy to Practice: A Practical Training Approach
A distinctive feature of the Rabat workshop was its practical focus, with three days of interactive sessions on implementing and enforcing chemical security legislation in real-world settings.
The programme addressed a broad range of topics related to the implementation and enforcement of chemical security measures. Sessions examined the CWC, its national implementation, and the broader global chemical security architecture, including the OPCW's mandate and role. Participants explored legislative measures to support chemical security and CWC compliance, as well as challenges and good practices in developing, implementing, and enforcing relevant legal frameworks, including legislative advocacy in the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) context.
Discussions also focused on institutional roles and responsibilities, highlighting the functions of National Authorities, law enforcement agencies, customs and border control services, and other relevant stakeholders in preventing the illicit trafficking and misuse of hazardous chemicals. Attention was given to strengthening interagency cooperation and coordination mechanisms at the national level.
To enhance operational capacities, participants examined the chemical life cycle, including the identification of vulnerabilities and risk mitigation measures, and reviewed legal and evidentiary requirements for the successful investigation and prosecution of chemical crimes. Sessions drew on practical guidance from UNICRI's Prosecutor's Guide to Chemical and Biological Crimes and incorporated real-world case studies illustrating the investigation, prosecution, criminalisation and classification of chemical offences, as well as the enforcement of relevant legislation.
The programme concluded with a tabletop exercise simulating a chemical incident, allowing participants to test national response frameworks, decision-making processes, and coordination mechanisms in a realistic operational environment. The practical nature of the programme enabled participants to apply lessons learned directly to realistic scenarios and identify opportunities to strengthen national systems for prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution.
Addressing Emerging Risks and Regional Priorities
The joint workshop was organised in close coordination with Morocco's Directorate General for Civil Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose invaluable support was instrumental to the successful delivery of the event.
The capacity-building and training event took place against a backdrop of evolving chemical security challenges, including the potential misuse of toxic chemicals by non-state actors, the continued growth of chemical industries across Africa, and the complexities associated with monitoring cross-border movements of hazardous materials through extensive land borders and maritime trade routes.
Participants examined ways to strengthen national legal frameworks, close gaps in criminalisation, enhance interagency cooperation, and develop specialised expertise among investigators, prosecutors, and other relevant authorities. Discussions also highlighted the importance of integrating chemical security considerations into broader national security and law enforcement strategies.
Strengthening Global Norms Through Regional Action
With workshops now completed in Central Asia, South and Southeast Asia, and Africa, the OPCW–UNICRI initiative demonstrates the importance of coupling legislative frameworks with effective enforcement mechanisms. Robust laws alone are insufficient; their effectiveness depends on the capacity of national institutions to investigate violations, prosecute offenders, and coordinate responses to chemical security threats.
By strengthening professional networks within and across regions, the initiative contributes to a growing global community of practitioners dedicated to upholding the norms and obligations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons.
Background
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which unites 193 States Parties in the global effort to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. In 2023, the OPCW verified the destruction of all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by States Parties since the Convention entered into force in 1997. In recognition of its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons, the OPCW was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
The United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) supports the international community in preventing and combating crime and advancing justice. Through its specialised programmes on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) risks, UNICRI assists Member States in strengthening capabilities for the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of CBRN-related crimes.
