His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa issued Edict 37/2017 amending some provisions of Edict 5 regarding establishment and formation of the National Committee on the Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling or Use of Chemical Weapon and the destruction of such weapons.

The National Committee has been restructured under the chairmanship of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the following membership:

1- Representative of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
2- Representative of the Bahrain Defence Force.
3- Representative of the Health Ministry.
4- Representative of the Civil Defence General Director in the Interior Ministry.
5- Representative of Customs Affairs in the Interior Ministry.
6- Representative of Electricity and Water Affairs Authority.
7- Representative of the National Oil and Gas Authority.
8- Representative of the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Ministry.
9- Representative of the Supreme Council for Environment.
10- Representative of the Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry.
11- Representative of the University of Bahrain.

The Edict also stipulated the duration of their membership term will be three years renewable for similar period(s). If the position of any member becomes vacant for any reason(s), it will be replaced by the representative from the same (represented) department to complete the tenure of his predecessor.

The committee in its first meeting will choose its deputy chairman from among its members, who will assume the jurisdictions of the committee chairman in case of the latter’s absence.

The Edict defined the duties and powers of the said committee, adding more to them.

The committee will submit its annual report to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, including the results of its business and recommendations. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will submit this report to the Cabinet.
The Edict cancelled Edict 33/2014.

The ministers –as per the jurisdiction of each minister– will implement this Edict which becomes effective from the date of its issuance, which will also be published on the Official Gazette.

Source: BNA