MALAYSIA ELECTED TO OPCW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR THIRD TIME

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- For the third time, Malaysia has been
elected member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) Executive Council for the 2011-2013 term.

Malaysia was unanimously elected by States Parties of the Chemical Weapons
Convention on Dec 1, during the 15th Session of the Conference of States Parties
to the Chemical Weapons Convention at The Hague, Netherlands.

The session was held from Nov 29 to Dec 3.

In a statement here Sunday, the foreign ministry said Malaysia's election
was a recognition by the international community for its contribution in the
effective implementation of the convention.

The election also signified international recognition of Malaysia's efforts
to attain global disarmament and stem proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction, it said.

Malaysia signed the Chemical Weapons Convention on Jan 13, 1993 before
ratification on April 20, 2000.

Previously, Malaysia twice served in the council, namely the 2004-2006 and
2007-2009 terms.

Malaysia is among the six States Parties elected to serve in the council,
representing the Asian Group for the 2011-2013 term.

"The Executive Council of the OPCW is made up of 41 members. The council is
the executive organ of the OPCW and is responsible to the Conference of States
Parties," said the statement, adding that the council's mandate was to promote
the effective implementation of, and compliance with, the Chemical Weapons
Convention.

"It is also required to supervise the activities of the Secretariat, to
cooperate with the National Authority of each States Parties, and to facilitate
consultations with and cooperation among State Parties, at their request," it
said.

The executive council meets formally four times a year, and also convenes
informal meetings as and when necessary.

-- BERNAMA