Daily Archives: November 22, 2023

THE HAGUE, Netherlands22 November 2022 Effective response to chemical threats requires well-trained first responders to be prepared to handle incidents ranging from chemical terrorism in public spaces to spills in urban infrastructure. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) provides advanced trainings to equip responders with the knowledge and skills to handle diverse scenarios related to chemical emergency response.

The OPCW, the government of Spain and the City Council of Murcia, jointly organised an Emergency Response Course Involving Toxic Chemicals in Unconventional Environments for States Parties from Latin America and the Caribbean from 6 to 10 November in Murcia, Spain. During the course, 18 experienced emergency response officers tackled advanced scenarios concerning chemical warfare agents and industrial chemical incidents.

The training gave participants first-hand experience related to chemical incident response in a range of non-conventional enclosed and open environments. Participants planned and executed responses to four different scenarios with the aid of live chemicals and using full protective equipment. These scenarios included toxic chemical incidents in an industrial area and in underground parking, chemical terrorism in a water treatment plant, and in public transportation. The scenarios challenged participants with the intricacies of both responding to and managing the incident, decision-making, and collecting samples in open-air and enclosed places. Each scenario had distinct challenges regarding the evacuation of civilians, contamination containment, and communications.

The Mayor of Murcia, Jos Ballesta Germn, presided over the closing event and highlighted: Such trainings are vital to the exchange of information, training, and good work practices between experts from different regions. We applaud the dedication and commitment of our first responders to be prepared to best serve society by honing their skills in this regard.

As part of the training, participants attended practical demonstrations and theoretical briefings on best practices concerning decontamination, detection of chemicals, and incidents involving chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. The course also supported the exchange of information and fostering networking among the participants, as it brought together experts from across the region.

The 18 participants represented 10 OPCW Member States: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The closing was further attended by Fernando Borreda, Secretary of the Spanish National Authority for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, and councillors of the Murcia municipality.

The training took place thanks to funding and training support from the Murcia Fire Brigade with further training staff and support from the Spanish National Police and Murcia Region Fire Brigade.

Article X provides for assistance and protection to a State Party if it is attacked or threatened with attack by chemical weapons.

The training constituted a Specialised Training Programme, capacity building measures that fall outside of routine training and aim to practice and reinforce previously acquired programmes.

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Conventions entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.

On 7 July 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCWs strict verification regime.

For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

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OPCW advanced chemical response capability training for Latin ... - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The Caribbean is enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight. The destination has the travel world buzzing with dreams of white sand beaches, clear water, and warm weather which are even more appealing as Americans hunker down and prepare for winter.

A Skyscanner report that reviewed user searches between July 8, 2022, and July 8, 2023, found that of the 10 most searched destinations, six were islands. According to data shared with Travel + Leisure from Priceline, the original online travel agency, three of the most popular and affordable holiday getaways for December 2023 were to Caribbean destinations.

To come up with their list of popular and affordable holiday trips, Priceline considered what destinations were trending along with the roundtrip ticket cost for travel between Dec. 1 and Dec. 31. The result provides a glimpse into the minds of U.S. travelers who are clearly looking for a December escape that includes sun and sand.

December holiday travelers cant seem to get enough of Cancn, which is located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast. The destination has long been known for its beaches, which are made of powder-fine sand, and the hotels, restaurants, and shops that line a long beachfront strip in the Caribbean Sea.

In addition to drawing December travelers in search of warm Caribbean waters and palm-tree-lined beaches, Cancn stood out for its affordability. According to Priceline, roundtrip flights to Cancun in December average $427 making it a more affordable getaway than many domestic destinations.

On the outer edge of the Caribbean Sea, off the southeastern coast of Florida, is a string of islands that have long been an American playground. The Bahamas, which are not technically in the Caribbean Sea, but are considered part of the Caribbean community, are home to the third largest barrier reef on Earth and a beach so pink, that it makes white-sand beaches look horribly basic. It helps that the capital city of Nassau is a direct, 1-hour flight from Miami, making the destination as accessible as it is beautiful.

The Priceline data ranked Nassau as the second most popular and affordable December holiday destination for 2023, with round-trip flights to the destination averaging $453.

Aruba is located in the southern reaches of the Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Venezuela. It isnt as easy for U.S. travelers to get to, but upon arrival it offers something unique: a welcoming culture that has become world-renowned, giving Aruba the nickname One Happy Island. Beyond the islands welcoming vibes, travelers rave about its beaches, which are impeccably clean and lined with jade ocean water.

According to Priceline, average roundtrip flights to Aruba this December are $455. Thats a wildly low cost when you consider how far south the tiny island is.

There are a few things to keep in mind when booking your flights to these Caribbean destinations or any destination around the world over the holidays.If youre traveling for the Christmas holiday and are traveling internationally, departing on Dec. 19 can help you save 11 percent on airfare. Returning between Dec. 26 and Dec. 29 can help you save an additional 25 percent. If you want the lowest flight cost and want to avoid traveling on what are expected to be the busiest travel days dont book your flights for Dec. 22 or Dec. 31.

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These 3 Caribbean Destinations Are Some of the Most Popular (and ... - Travel + Leisure

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: HEAVY RAINFALL

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21 PEOPLE DEAD FOLLOWING HEAVY RAINFALL AND FLOODING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Since 17 November, a tropical depression has been bringing heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides to the Dominican Republic. According to the countrys Emergency Operations Centre, the extreme weather has left at least 21 people dead and forced more than 13,000 people to evacuate. At least 15 electricity circuits and 115 aqueducts have been affected, causing disruptions in electricity service for more than 150,000 people and water service for some 1.8 million people. The National Institute of Drinking Water and Sewage and EDESUR are working to restore their respective services in the affected areas. According to preliminary reports, more than 1,500 homes, 6 roads and 5 bridges have been affected. Some 19 communities remain cut off due to the overflow of rivers. Fourteen provinces (Pedernales, San Juan, Barahona, Azua, San Jos Ocoa, Bahoruco, Independencia, Elas Pia, San Cristbal, Peravia, Snchez Ramrez, El Distrito Nacional, Santo Domingo and Duarte) across the country remain at a red alert level due to the risk of further flooding and landslides. Heavy rainfall is forecast to continue through until 20 November.

HAITI: INSECURITY & DISPLACEMENT

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1,014 PEOPLE DISPLACED IN LATEST WAVE OF VIOLENCE IN CIT SOLEIL

Since 13 November, a resurgence of violence between rival armed groups has led to injuries, displacement and death for civilians of the neighbourhoods of Cit Soleil, a commune in the Haitian capital. The violence has displaced more than 1,000 people and killed at least 166, mainly civilians. On 15 November, clashes forced the indefinite closure of the Fontaine hospital, a private facility that provided significant maternity care. Only a few weeks earlier, in late October, Saint Damiens, a maternity centre in Port-au-Prince, also closed its doors due to insecurity. All staff have been transferred to other facilities in Port-au-Prince, reducing access to medical care in Cit Soleil. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Cit Soleil emergency hospital, where at least 50 people have been treated in the past week, is now the only medical facility in the area capable of treating patients. The surge in violence also affected an orphanage, forcing 58 children to evacuate. MSF and the Interim Humanitarian Coordinator for OCHA in Haiti have strongly condemned the frequency of attacks on health services, schools and basic social services and are calling for an end to violence against the civilian population and respect for hospitals, medical facilities and humanitarian organisations.

REGIONAL: MIGRATION & PROTECTION CONCERNS

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460K MIGRANTS CROSS PERILOUS DARIEN GAP SO FAR IN 2023

As rates of irregular migration continue to soar across the region, humanitarian organisations have renewed calls for improved protection measures and comprehensive humanitarian support for those in-transit. Almost 460,000 migrants, including nearly 100,000 children, have now made the treacherous journey across the Darien jungle between Colombia and Panama on their way north. As well as physical and environmental challenges, these routes also present significant threats to the security and wellbeing of migrants, particularly women and children, who are increasingly subject to sexual and gender-based violence, exploitation, human trafficking, assault, robbery and forced recruitment by armed groups. On the Colombian side, armed groups associated with drug trafficking regulate the routes migrants can take, often through extortion. The Colombian military estimates that one group collects, on average, US$125 per person crossing the Darien gap. If this estimate is correct, between January and October 2023, the armed group may have made $57 million from its control over this area. Organisations on the ground indicate growing reports of sexual violence along migrant routes. To date in 2023, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) have treated 397 survivors of sexual violence, including many children, after they succeeded in reaching Panama. While the month of October saw a decrease in the number of migrants crossing the Darien gap (49,256 people in October compared to 75,268 in September), MSF saw an increase in the number of survivors of sexual assault seeking assistance. In October alone, MSF teams assisted 107 people. One week saw 59 people reach out for care from MSF, the equivalent to one event of sexual violence every three hours. Three of the rape survivors were children aged 11, 12 and 16. Humanitarian organisations, including MSF, UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group and Plan International, among others, are urging relevant governments to prioritise the protection of migrants and their human rights, strengthen humanitarian capacities and improve comprehensive response strategies, including increasing safe and legal pathways for migration and addressing root causes of movements.

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Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update (As of 20 ... - ReliefWeb

MIAMI, Florida There have been many big goals during the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup, but one would be hard-pressed to find a more crucial one than the goal scored by Franklin Singodikromo of Surinamese club Robinhood in the semifinal second leg versus Moca FC of the Dominican Republic.

Down 1-0 on aggregate in second half stoppage time, the 21-year-old FW summoned up his very best to score the equalizing goal to force a penalty shootout. Robinhood would win in spot kicks to advance to the Final, where they will face Jamaican side Cavalier.

By virtue of his dramatic goal and overall performance in the series, Singodikromo is the On the Rise player for the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup Semifinals.

It brings a smile to my face. It is an honor to hear such a thing, said Singodikromo upon learning that he was named the On the Rise player for the Caribbean Cup semifinals during an interview with Concacaf.com.

We needed a goal to make sure that we did not go home, and when I scored the goal, it felt unbelievable. I dont know how to explain it. Everyone wanted us to succeed, and when I scored the goal, it was indescribable. Its beyond happiness, said Singodikromo, who jokingly added that he has watched the goal a couple hundred times.

For Singodikromo, the key was keeping a cool head to allow him to score the most important goal of his career.

When I received the ball, I looked up and saw two of my teammates, but then the defender came onto me, so I had to think really fast. I dribbled past the first player, but then the second player came and he tried to take the ball away from me, but I recovered and I went for it, said Singodikromo.

Once Singodikromo scored and Robinhood defeated Moca in the penalty shootout, it secured Robinhoods place in the Final and also qualified the club for the Concacaf Champions Cup for the first time since 1994.

It means a lot [to qualify]. The entire country of Suriname is counting on Robinhood. Everybody is watching Robinhood and they are expecting a lot from us, so we dont want to disappoint them, said Singodikromo.

Five-time Champions Cup finalists Robinhood are now in line to face the top clubs in the region and could get a crack at 2022 FIFA World Cup winner Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. Singodikromo can only imagine what it would be like to face Messi on home soil.

Playing against Messi would be a dream come true if it is possible. It would be the first time to see Messi in person for most Surinamese people, so it would be an honor. Wed all be very happy, said Singodikromo.

In the Final, Robinhood will take on a Cavalier team that rolled through both the group stage and the semifinals to earn their spot in the Final. Singodikromo knows that a very sturdy test awaits against the Jamaicans.

Cavalier is a well-disciplined team. They have very strong and fast players. They have a very good understanding between the players and they will also be going for the win and the championship. We have to make sure that we keep our heads up and try to make minimal mistakes, said Singodikromo.

Robinhood can already point to a Concacaf title won earlier this year when they claimed the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield. Singodikromo remarks that winning the Shield propelled Robinhood to double-down on their efforts in the Caribbean Cup.

When we won the Shield, it was a motivation to keep going. We trained even harder, we made sacrifices, it was all motivation, said Singodikromo.

All of that has paid off with a trip to the Final and a Champions Cup qualification. But Singodikromo and his teammates have their sights set on an even bigger prize of winning the Caribbean Cup.

For me it would be one of the greatest achievements for now. We have to keep pushing and make sure we win the final. Everyone is looking up to Robinhood. They are expecting so much from us, so we cant disappoint them. It would mean the world to the club and for Suriname to win the cup, concluded Singodikromo.

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Caribbean Cup SF on The Rise: Franklin Singodikromo - Concacaf

Celestyal Cruises has announced that Celestyal Olympia, a former Royal Caribbean cruise ship, will be retired at the end of 2023, with a new vessel to take her place with planned sailings. Celestyal Olympia has been welcoming guests for more than 40 years, with a variety of cruise lines.

Celestyal Olympia, which as been sailing with Celestyal Cruises since 2014, is to be gracefully retired in the coming weeks. This decision comes as Celestyal Cruises has acquired AIDAaura, the oldest ship in the AIDA Cruises fleet (built in 2003), but still significantly younger than the cruise lines other ship, Celestyal Journey (built in 1994 for Holland America Line).

To accommodate AIDAaura, which will join Celestyal Cruises as Celestyal Discovery in 2024 after an extensive refurbishment, Celestyal Olympia is to be decommissioned and retired from the line.

Celestyal Discovery is planned to take over Celestyal Olympias sailings from March 2024, and guests already booked on those journeys will be contacted with details about switching to the new vessel. Earlier sailings aboard Celestyal Olympia, from December 2, 2023 to the end of the year, are cancelled and guests are receiving full refunds.

The impacted sailings are 3-, 4-, and 5-night Greek Island cruises, as Celestyal Cruises primarily operates Greek sailings of various lengths, offering luxury and intimacy for guests exploring the Mediterranean hotspot.

Celestyal Olympia began as Royal Caribbeans Song of America when she debuted in December 1982 as the fourth ever ship for the line, and she remained with Royal Caribbean until 1999. Of special note is that this ship was the first to feature the distinctive Viking Crown Lounge that would be an instantly recognizable feature of Royal Caribbean ships for decades.

In late 1998, the ship was sold to Sun Cruises (though she would be chartered back to Royal Caribbean for several months) and renamed Sunbird, with some rebuilding of her interior spaces, particularly suites. In 2005, the ship was again sold as Sun Cruises was dissolved. After being renamed Thomson Destiny, the ship sailed for Thomson Cruises until 2012.

The ship spent two years with Louis Cruises (2012-2014) as Louis Olympia, and also served as a floating hotel during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

In late 2014, Louis Cruises was rebranded to Celestyal Cruises, and the ship was renamed and updated to become Celestyal Olympia.

The 37,700-gross-ton ship can welcome 1,664 passengers aboard for each sailing, with approximately 540 international crew members onboard to provide distinctive and memorable service.

Celestyal Cruises has confirmed that the ship will now be scrapped, which is not surprising considering her advanced age in comparison to more modern ships.

Read Also: Former Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Beached for Scrapping After 50 Years of Service

Still, her 41 years of service have been memorable ones for the thousands and thousands of passengers she has already hosted in sailings in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, always bringing travelers to amazing ports of call and delivering memorable cruise vacations.

Because of her age and how environmental and safety regulations have changed in recent years, it could be challenging to sufficiently update the ship to welcome guests with the same standards that newer ships may offer. It is unlikely that any buyer would be willing to undertake such a project in the current economic climate.

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Former Royal Caribbean Ship to Be Retired and Scrapped - Cruise Hive

Atoll Pool on Deck 10 is one of Explora I's four main pools (Photo: Jorge Oliver)

As comfortable and luxurious as Explora Is indoor spaces are, this ship invites its passengers to soak up the sun. For proof, look no further than the four pools on offer, an embarrassment of riches for a ship of its size and luxury credentials.

The pice de resistance is The Conservatory Pool on Deck 11, an inviting space that boasts the ambiance of posh wellness club bathed in natural light. The pool is characterized by its glass retractable roof, a feature that makes this space suitable in any weather. But during our sailing, the retractable roof came down quickly, offering sunbathers and swimmers uninterrupted exposure to the balmy Caribbean climate.

On Deck 12 at the forward end of the ship, Helios is Explora Is one and only adults-only pool. The half-moon-shaped dipping pool, with a maximum depth of 3.7 feet (1.1 meters), benefits from unbeatable views of the landscapes ahead. The accompanying bar and lounge area makes Helios (which is named after the Greek god of the sun) feel like a secluded spot within the ship, almost reminiscent of the Yacht Club pool deck on MSC Cruises' ships (MSC is, after all, Explora's parent company).

Explora I boasts a terraced aft that not only makes the ship slightly reminiscent of a luxury yacht, but also smartly adds more open air deck space. This design perk is also responsible for housing the two remaining pools onboard. Deck 10 is home to Atoll Pool & Bar, which feels like The Conservatorys smaller sibling, albeit fully outdoors. The rectangular pool is surrounded by plush day beds and features its own bar.

During our sailing, the pool popularity contest was easily won by Astern Pool & Bar on deck 5. The centerpiece of this space is an infinity pool with stunning views of the ships wake.

Explora I features numerous pools and hot tubs (Photo: Jorge Oliver)

But the aquatic attractions dont end with Explora Is four pools. The ship is equipped with four generously sized infinity whirlpools on decks 11 and 12, as well as one hot tub on Deck 14 by the ships Sky Bar.

Outside of its pool offerings, Explora I also benefits from a substantial 26,909 square feet (2,500 square meters) of outdoor deck space, adding to the ships warm weather appeal. Other notable alfresco venues on the ship include the open-air fitness area and the sports court, both on Deck 14.

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What's it Like to Sail on Explora I in the Caribbean? - Cruise Critic

African and Caribbean nations impacted by the transatlantic slave trade and colonialism have united in demanding reparations from European countries.

The Associated Press that delegates attending the Accra Reparations Conference in Ghana, West Africa, agreed Thursday (Nov. 16) to establish a Global Reparations Fund to redress Europeans accumulating great wealth by enslaving Africans without compensation and the ongoing consequences for their descendants.

In October, the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent delivered a report to theU.N. General Assembly that said people of African descent around the world are victims of systemic discrimination and racialized attacks and called for reparations.

Delegates from the Caribbean Community (Caricom) of 20 countries and the 55-member African Union organized the reparations conference, The Guardian. They formed a united front to pressure the former colonial powers to make amends for historical mass crimes.

The entire period of slavery meant that our progress, economically, culturally, and psychologically, was stifled. There are legions of stories of families who were torn apart You cannot quantify the effects of such tragedies, but they need to be recognized, Ghanas president Nana Akufo-Addo said at the opening of the four-day conference.

Caricoms secretary general, Carla Barnett, said, We are at an important inflection point in the global movement for reparatory justice, adding that its important to speak with one voice to advance the call for reparations.

In September, former British Caribbean colonies said they planned to send letters demanding an apology and reparations for slavery to the British royal family and other British institutions involved in the transatlantic slave trade.

But a British Foreign Office official attending the conference in Ghana told The Guardian that the U.K. government opposes the concept of reparations.

Its undetermined how much financial compensation the African diaspora nations seek or what reparations would look like.

Scholars say the transatlantic chattel slave trade took at least 12 million Africans from their homelands and transported them to European colonies between the 16th and 19th centuries.

A recent report estimated that Britain owes 18.6 trillion, the equivalent of $23.2 trillion, in compensation for its role in the slave trade.

Activists have said reparations should include developmental aid for countries, the return of colonized resources and the systemic correction of oppressive policies and laws.

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African, Caribbean Nations Agree To Pursue Reparations For Slavery - BET

Bnamericas Published: Wednesday, November 22, 2023

IDB Invest release

IDB Invest provided a loan package of approximately $368 million to AES Dominicana Renewable Energy S.A. (ADRE), a subsidiary of The AES Corporation in the Dominican Republic, to finance the design, construction and operation of three new non-conventional renewable energy (NCRE) projects totaling 240MWac of installed capacity, and to refinance the short-term debt of three additional renewable energy projects totaling 150MWac of installed capacity.

The financing package consists of $37 million from IDB Invest and $331 million mobilized from 21 financial institutions. IDB Invest, together with Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior S.A. (Bladex), JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. (JP Morgan) and The Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), led the underwriting process as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners. The transaction was 2.0x times oversubscribed with more than $485 million orders. This transaction is the largest financing for renewable energy projects for a Caribbean economy.

By expanding the NCRE generation capacity from 150MWac to 390MWac, the renewable energy projects are expected to help diversify the energy matrix in the Dominican Republic, where 71% of the energy generated in 2022 relied on fossil fuels. Additionally, the deal will support AES decarbonization strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions from electricity sales by 2040.

The new renewable energy projects will generate approximately 824 GWh per year helping to reduce the countrys carbon footprint by displacing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions estimated at approximately 441,000 tCO2 equivalent per year. This is equivalent to removing around 96,000 vehicles from the roads every year. It is also expected that the new NCRE projects will create around 1,300 jobs during construction and 80 permanent jobs during operation.

The project will contribute to the Dominican Republics goals in its nationally determined contribution (NDC) aiming to lowering GHG emissions by 27% by 2030. The deal will contribute to several of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7), Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13) and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

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IDB Invest Mobilizes the Largest Renewable Energy Financing in ... - BNamericas English

THE HAGUE, Netherlands22 November 2023 The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), in collaboration with the Government of Barbados, organised a subregional forum on the national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) for English-speaking Caribbean countries from 3 to 5 October 2023 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The forum underscored the critical importance of raising awareness of the Convention and the pressing need for capacity building activities related to its implementation that address the unique perspectives and challenges encountered by Caribbean islands. It emphasised that comprehensive and robust national legislation is vital to counter chemical terrorism and illicit trade of chemicals across borders. Without comprehensive legislation barring all activities prohibited by the Convention, States Parties may face limitations in their ability to investigate, prosecute, or penalise those involved.

Even in countries without a major chemical industry, robust transshipment controls are required to prevent the illegal transfer of scheduled chemicals across borders. These regulatory frameworks are also needed to protect the environment and mitigate risks associated with storing and handling hazardous substances.

The event gave experts the opportunity to exchange information, identify common challenges and share best practices related to the national implementation of the Convention. The forum was attended by 44 delegates representing twelve countries in the Caribbean region: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

In addition, experts from various organisations, including the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism; the UN Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament, and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean; the Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute; the UN Office on Drugs and Crime; the Caribbean Community; the World Customs Organization; the Centre for Biosecurity Studies at the University of the West Indies; and the International Chemical Trade Association, also participated in the event.

As per Article VI, an important requirement for the national implementation of the Convention is for States Parties to adopt the necessary national measures to ensure that toxic chemicals are only used for peaceful purposes.

Article VII covers national implementation of the Convention and requires each State Party to enact implementing legislation at the national level.

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Conventions entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.

On 7 July 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCWs strict verification regime.

For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

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OPCW forum in Barbados enhances national implementation of the ... - Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

After being re-elected president of Jamaica Squash Association, Karen Anderson is intent on building on the platform laid from her previous term to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport locally.

Anderson, who took the reins of the sporting body last year, was returned for second one-year term which she said represents an opportunity to achieve certain personal ambitions and, by extension, bring visions for the sports progression, to fruition.

To that end, she hopes to finish the governance process of a name change, among other things by mid-2024, as well as to possibly hire a Technical director to assist in the countrys competitiveness at various tournaments.

As you know, a few years ago all sporting bodies were encouraged to become charitable entities, which is an arduous process and it's also quite expensive, so we had put off for quite a while. But part of my mandate and my manifesto was to do that aspect of it, to become a charitable entity, Anderson told Sportsmax.tv.

So, the first resolution spoke to the association becoming a charitable entity; the second one spoke to a name change from Jamaica Squash Association to Jamaica Squash Limited trading as Jamaica Squash and then the third one was to the approval of current constitution of Jamaica's Association subsumed by Articles of Incorporation, which is what governs charitable bodies. So, all of the resolutions were passed and passed unanimously, she added.

While Anderson reveled in the success of the countrys junior and senior teams at their respective Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) tournament recently, she noted areas in which the country can improve to become more formidable on the regional stage and the appointment of a technical director, she believes is a key component.

Based on some of the things we saw last year, we added a strength and conditioning coach as a fitness element. All of the juniors and seniors worked with this strength and conditioning coach to get them up to standard and we saw a marked improvement in that and that's something that we're actually going to continue to do, Anderson shared.

We have also seen the success of other Caribbean countries that have technical directors and thats a significant way to increase our competitiveness within the region. We haven't identified the person yet because we need to identify the money first, but we believe that we can turn some of our silver and bronze medals into gold and maybe start to contend and be part of the top two in the region.

As I've said to the players, if we can't compete and be competitive in this region which is the Caribbean region, then there's no point even trying to take it outside of the Caribbean. Because you need to be able to do it at home first and home for me is the Caribbean. So, that's really where we're looking. It's expensive, but we believe that is direction that we have to go in, she reasoned.

That said, Anderson, a former National and Caribbean singles champion, pointed out that starting a school programme is also high on her agenda to not only widen the sports reach but also the pool from which players are selected for national duties.

Currently, if you can hit the ball you almost can he selected. We want the kids to fight for a spot so that they become more competitive and learn how to win. So those are the areas that we're going to focus on to improve on some of those results. I would also love to be able to host a Professional Squash tournament attracting the worlds best players to play in Jamaica, she declared.

Andersons executive committee includes Joey Levy, vice president, Gill Binnie, secretary and Deanne Pryce, treasurer. Committee

members are Douglas Beckford, Nathlee Boreland, and Tahjia Lumley.

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Anderson targets improvement during tenure as regional VP of ... - sportsmax.tv