PROJECT 097: Improvement of Chemical Safety and Security in the Middle East

Context

Misuse of toxic chemicals and chemical terrorism pose a grave threat to international peace and security, especially in the Middle East, where it was recently confirmed use of industrial chemicals as chemical weapons in Syria and as means of terror in other countries, including Iraq. It poses a fundamental challenge to the international community and security and the development of the region. The explosion in the port of Beirut in 2020 emphasized the risk of unauthorized and ill-controlled storage and use of dangerous chemicals. Further investigations showed that this was not a unique example of unauthorized storage of dangerous chemicals, while there exist also many illegal small production facilities of chemicals. The accident with a container of chlorine in the port of Aqaba was another example demonstrating these risks.

Whereas Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon differ in terms of implementation of relevant legislation and its enforcement, they share a common need for improvement of both their legislation and the verification of its correct implementation.

Overall objective

The overall objective of this project is to improve chemical safety and security in the three partner countries.

Specific objectives

1. Increase the capacities for chemical accident risk governance;
2. Identify chemical facilities of concern followed by risk assessment and a comprehensive national risk management programme;
3. Develop a database containing all relevant industrial sites, the chemicals on site and other safety related information, which will aid the risk governance and inspection activities;
4. Train competent authorities to conduct inspections and establish appropriate control mechanisms;
5. Train representatives of the industry on how to create a chemical safety report and how to establish an internal and external emergency response plan;
6. Make proposals on how to adapt the legal framework accordingly in order to improve chemical safety and security and to provide the legal basis for inspection activities.

Activities

1. Sharing international best practices for chemical safety supporting a comprehensive national risk management programme;
2. Mapping of chemical facilities and supporting the development of a chemical inventory database;
3. Development, presentation and practical application of a risk assessment and risk management methodology;
4. Procurement of equipment for Iraqi inspectors;
5. Training of inspectors;
6. Disposal and neutralization of chemicals.

Achievements

• Development of a questionnaire to investigate the present situation of national competences related to chemical risk management;
• The Kick-Off Meeting will take place from the 18^th to the 22^nd of June 2023.