The OPCW Scientific Advisory Board, SAB BWC Expert Meeting, Geneva, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The OPCW Scientific Advisory Board, SAB

BWC Expert Meeting, Geneva, 14 August 2013 Stefan Mogl, SPIEZ LABORATORY, Switzerland

The OPCW – main organs

2

Scientific Advisory Board, SAB

• What is the OPCW SAB ?

− Mandate − History

• How does the SAB function ?
• How does the SAB communicate ?
• Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Outline

What is the OPCW SAB ?

[Ref: CWC, Art. VIII, para 21 (h)]

• DG to establish an SAB to

enable him to render specialized advice in S+T relevant to CWC, to Conference, Executive Council, States Parties

• SAB shall be composed of

independent experts appointed in acc. with TOR

What is the OPCW SAB ?

[Ref: CWC, Art. VIII, para 45]

OPCW DG responsible for organization and functioning of SAB:

• DG appoints SAB members
• SAB members serve in individual capacity
• DG may establish temporary working groups (TWG)

What is the OPCW SAB ?

Composition

• 25 Members elected for a

term of 3 years (may serve two consecutive terms)

• Experts from Academia,

Industry, Government, Defence − Bring personal expertise, network and their institution

• Important to maintain

broad spectrum of expertise

What is the OPCW SAB ?

Functions

[C-II/DEC.10/Rev.1]

• Assess and report to DG developments in S+T relevant to CWC
• Provide advice on changes to Annex on Chemicals
• Co-ordinate SAB TWGs
• Provide to Technical Secretariat (TS) S+T advice related to co-
• peration and assistance
• Assess merit of methodology for use by TS for verification
• Provide advice and make recommendations on relevant

developments in S+T for Review Conference

• Assess and report on emerging technologies and new

equipment

What is the OPCW SAB ?

History

• SAB TOR unresolved by PrepCom,

forwarded to CSP1 (1997)

• Adopted by CSP2 (1997) after

consultations − DG to nominate Members

• 1st SAB Mtg. Sept. 1998, report in

CSP3 Oct. 1998

• 2nd SAB Mtg. April 1999
• 20 SAB Mtgs. since, 1-2 annually

• What is the OPCW SAB ?
• How does the SAB function ?

[EC-XIII/DG.2] − Independence − Rules of Procedure − Temporary Working Groups (TWGs)

• How does the SAB communicate ?
• Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Outline

How does the SAB function ?

Independence

• SAB appoints a chair and vice chair by consensus

annually from its members

• Technical Secretariat provides the Secretary to the SAB

− Agenda developed by Chair and Secretary − DG may add any item to be discussed

• No observers to meetings of SAB (without prior written

DG approval)

How does the SAB function ?

Rules of Procedure

• All meetings at OPCW HQ

− 6 official languages

• Briefings by:

− Director-General − SAB Secretary − TWG Chairs − Expert presenters

• SAB deliberations, recommen-

dations, intersessional work

• Durations 3-5 Days

How does the SAB function ?

Temporary Working Groups (TWGs)

• Chaired by SAB member
• Composed of subject matter experts and SAB members
• TOR designed to answer specific question(s)

− Limited to 2-3 years (generally)

• TWGs report to SAB
• Examples of TWGs:

− Sampling and Analysis (closed) − Convergence in Chemistry and Biology − Education and Outreach − Verification

• What is the OPCW SAB ?
• How does the SAB function ?
• How does the SAB communicate ?
• Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Outline

How does the SAB communicate ?

Regular Meeting Reports (www.opcw.org)

How does the SAB communicate ?

Interaction with Delegates / TS Staff

How does the SAB communicate ?

Evaluation of Developments in S+T for Review Conference

…

• What is the OPCW SAB ?
• How does the SAB function ?
• How does the SAB communicate ?
• Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Outline

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

How to ask

• SAB can provide S+T advice effectively, if:

− Question is phrased clearly and related to S+T − Intention is not to ‘escape’ discussion in PMO − SPs don’t attempt to politicize the Board − Has sufficient funding for meetings (SAB, TWGs) − SAB analyses question carefully (including policy dimension) − SAB considers relevant information from all accessible sources in its deliberations − SAB stays away from policy debate

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Benefits

• SAB helps to establish ‘official OPCW view’ on S+T

matters related to implementation of CWC − Good Track Record:

• In spite of changing composition, no SAB

recommendation needed correction

• Not all SAB recommendations are implemented –

PMO may not be ready to reach consensus

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Example from SAB

Question to the SAB:

• Can Schedule 1 chemicals be formed as impurities in

industrial production processes, and if yes, do they pose a threat to the object and purpose of the CWC ? − Study performed by members of the SAB in their institution − Extensive debate by the SAB

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Example from SAB

SAB Response:

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Example from TWG

Question to the SAB:

• Protein toxin ricin and marine toxin saxitoxin are

included in Schedule 1 of CWC

• OPCW has obligation to develop methods of

verification − Analysis present problems for the current system

• f OPCW designated laboratories and proficiency

testing − Ricin and saxitoxin cannot be identified using OPCW onsite analysis equipment

Lessons learned after 15 years ?

Example from TWG

• The TWG on S&A reviewed the various methods that

can be used to detect and identify saxitoxin and ricin, and made recommendations on those methods considered most appropriate.

• [It was recommended that, for both toxins, a screening

technique, based on immunoassay, combined with a confirmative technique based on liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS- MS), be used.] SAB Response:

Thank you for your attention!

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