The National Authority of the Kingdom of Morocco for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) extend their sincere appreciation to all participants for the valuable discussions at the first-ever Global Conference on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing the Implementation of the CWC , held in Rabat, the capital of the Kingdom of Morocco, from 22 to 24 October 2024.
The Conference which was inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Fernando Arias, was highly successful with the participation of 200 attendees. This included delegates from 46 States Parties from all regional groups, representatives of international and regional organisations as well as a large number of policymakers, scientific experts, and industry leaders.
Over the course of the past three days, this Conference has highlighted the transformative potential of AI in advancing the peaceful uses of chemistry, enhancing verification capabilities, and strengthening chemical safety and security. At the same time, the Conference has recognised the threats and challenges that the misuse of AI may pose to the object and purpose of the CWC, including the potential use of AI by non-state actors and terrorist groups.
The importance of international collaboration and ensuring that AI is developed and applied in a safe and transparent manner that reinforces the objectives of the CWC has been emphasised throughout. Participants stressed the need for ongoing research, capacity-building, and responsible governance to address risks whilst maximising AI's contributions to global peace and security.
The Conference, held in the Kingdom of Morocco, an African State Party, underscored the importance of ensuring that the benefits of AI are accessible to all regions, including Africa. Participants noted the potential for AI to support capacity-building initiatives, such as those of the OPCW Africa Programme, and to further strengthen the capabilities of developing States Parties in implementing the CWC.
The Technical Secretariat of the OPCW will continue to assist States Parties in enhancing their national capabilities, including by making available to all of them any technologies that the Organisation may develop in AI or other domains in accordance with its mandate.
This Conference has contributed to provide guidance for future cooperation between governments, industry, and the scientific community. The outcomes will guide future efforts to ensure that AI technologies support the OPCW's mission to prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons, while fostering global development in the chemical field in a safe, secure, and inclusive manner. The Technical Secretariat of the OPCW, inter alia through the new capabilities it has been developing at its Centre for Chemistry and Technology, stands ready to support and facilitate the actions of States Parties in this regard, in accordance with the CWC.
We look forward to continued dialogue and collaboration in addressing these emerging challenges and capitalising on the opportunities that AI offers for the full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
