Cambodia has designated a government agency to implement provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention within the nation, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said yesterday (see GSN, July 20).
The Cambodian National Authority for the Prohibition of Chemical, Nuclear, Biological and Radiological Weapons is the chosen agency, according to an OPCW press release.
The treaty requires that each member state establish a national authority "to serve as the focal point for effective liaison with the organization and other states parties." Duties of a national authority include helping a country facilitate inspections by the organization, remain in compliance with the treaty's requirements and cooperate on peaceful chemical activities.
Only eight of the 182 convention states parties have yet to designate a national authority (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons release, Sept. 12).