Communication “is just as important as the technical aspects of scientific advice” The DG “acknowledges the Board’s efforts to ensure that the scientific advice it provides is factual, unbiased, free from jargon, and generally appropriate for the OPCW and its States Parties”

Innovation
“Advances and innovations in science and technology can be misused, and the Board must continue its efforts to identify potential future challenges. However, as noted by speaker Dr Ralf Trapp, scientific advances also provide an opportunity to better combat" CWs

Cheminformatics
Frontline officers need to be able to utilise control lists to interdict dual-use materials. The cheminformatics tool "that Dr Costanzi’s research group is developing with the Stimson Center looks to be an interesting new tool for assisting frontline officers…”

“The fact that not all chemicals that may pose a threat are scheduled chemicals underlines the importance of the general purpose criterion in the Convention, which states that any chemical intended for chemical weapons purposes … is considered a chemical weapon.”

Scheduled chemicals
The DG noted that the recent expansion of Schedule 1 was a landmark development. The DG “read with interest the synopsis of the presentation by Professor Stefano Costanzi… additional expansion of the Schedules would further strengthen the verification regime”

Organophosphate detection
The DG noted that organophosphate detection research, like that of Prof. Elisa Orth, “helps ensure that new detection technologies are better, less expensive, and more accessible to those that need them.” The DG asked the SAB to keep monitoring the field

Challenges in the chemical threat space
“Dr Jonathan Forman’s presentation … described some novel approaches to overcoming continued challenges in the chemical threat space” The DG also highlighted the OPCW’s efforts towards a state-of-the-art Centre for Chemistry and Technology

CNS acting chemicals
The DG highlighted the 26th Conference of the States Parties decision entitled ‘Understanding Regarding the Aerosolised Use of Central Nervous System Acting Chemicals for Law Enforcement Purposes’ & reiterated the importance of the SAB’s advice on this topic