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

Context

The misuse of toxic chemicals and chemical terrorism pose a significant threat to international peace and security, particularly in the Middle East, where the use of industrial chemicals as chemical weapons in Syria and as tools of terror in other countries, including Iraq, were confirmed. These developments pose a critical challenge to the international community and security and the development of the region. The explosion at the port of Beirut in 2020 highlighted the danger of unauthorised and poorly-managed storage and use of hazardous chemicals. Further investigations revealed that this was not an isolated  example of unauthorised storage of dangerous chemicals, as the existence of many illegal small production facilities of chemicals has been disclosed. The accident involving a chlorine gas container explosion at the port of Aqaba in 2022 further underscores 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

• Increase the capacities for chemical accident risk governance.
• Identify chemical facilities of concern followed by risk assessment and a comprehensive national risk management programme.
• Develop a database of relevant industrial sites, the chemicals on-site and other safety related information for risk governance and inspection purposes.
• Train competent authorities to conduct inspections and establish appropriate control mechanisms.
• Train representatives of the industry on how to create a chemical safety report and how to establish an internal and external emergency response plan.
• Develop proposals for recommended adaptations of the legal framework to improve chemical safety and security and to provide the legal basis for inspection activities.

Concrete activities

• Sharing of international best practices for chemical safety supporting a comprehensive national risk management programme
• Mapping of chemical facilities and supporting the development of a chemical inventory database
• Development, presentation and practical application of a risk assessment and risk management methodology
• Support to procurement of equipment for Iraqi inspectors
• Training of inspectors.
• Capacity-building on disposal and neutralization of chemicals 

Expected results

• Enhanced capacity of the Partner Countries regarding chemical risk management, chemical inspection capabilities, disposal and neutralisation of chemicals, thus contributing to the overall chemical safety and security:
  • National chemical risk management programmes in the Partner Countries based on best international practices developed.
  • Capacities of the national authorities to manage chemical safety and security issues increased.
  • Recommendations for establishing national database using international best practice able to fulfil the requirements of an inventory of chemical facilities in each Partner Country developed.
  • A risk assessment and risk management methodology for hazardous chemicals developed and practically applied in the Partner Countries.
  • Storage of hazardous chemicals in Partners Countries improved.
  • Capabilities of inspectors in performing detection activities enhanced.
  • Concepts, procedures and guidelines for safe disposal and neutralisation of chemicals elaborated.

Achievememts

• Questionnaire to investigate the present situation of national competences related to chemical risk management completed.
• Workshop on and report describing the current status of existing legal and institutional framework for chemical safety and security in Lebanon completed (reports for Jordan and Iraq are under development).
• Training of chemical inspectors from the three Partner Countries ongoing.
• List of equipment for chemical inspectors from Iraq established and procurement underway.