For outstanding contribution to Chemical Weapons Convention: Cameroonian scientist, Hubert Foy, receives prestigious international recognition.

Cameroonian scientist, Hubert Foy Kum, brandishing award certificate

Renowned Cameroonian Scientist in the field of Weapon of Mass Destruction, WMD, disarmament, Hubert Foy Kum, has received an international recognition for his outstanding contribution to Chemical Weapons Convention, CWC.



 

Foy received the recognition Monday, November 27. This was duringceremony at the World Forum in The Hague, on the sidelines of the 28th Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, CSP-28. 

He was honoured with the prestigious Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) – The Hague Award. 

This recognition celebrates Foy’s unwavering commitment and significant contribution to advocating effective implementation of the Convention in Africa. His efforts include enhancing chemical security in African countries and developing training courses for various national and regional stakeholders to raise awareness on issues related to the implementation of the Convention.

In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. To preserve the legacy of this achievement, the OPCW established the OPCW-The Hague Award in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague in 2014. 

The award is a prestigious recognition presented to individuals and organisations that play a significant role in advancing the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention, a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons. The total €90,000 (about 59,036,130 FCFA) cash prize is awarded to up to three recipients annually.

Hubert Foy, a distinguished policy-oriented technical expert in the field of international security, currently serving as the Executive Director of the premier African WMD nonproliferation and disarmament think tank, African Centre for Science and International Security, AFRICSIS, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, which he founded more than a decade ago, expressed deep gratitude upon receiving the award. 

In his acceptance speech, he highlighted the collaborative efforts of African nations in working towards a chemical weapon-free continent.

"I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the OPCW-The Hague Award. This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collective dedication of African nations in ensuring a safer and more secure future. Our commitment to the principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention is unwavering, and together, we strive to create a world where the use of chemical weapons is eradicated," Foy remarked. 

 

 

Bolster in efforts in upholding the CWC

On the significance of the award, Foy emphasised that winning the OPCW-The Hague Award would significantly bolster his efforts in upholding the Chemical Weapons Convention, CWC. 

“The recognition and support provided by this prestigious award would enhance visibility and credibility, facilitating greater collaboration with stakeholders. This, in turn, would amplify the impact of my work, enabling AFRICSIS to contribute more effectively to the goals of the OPCW and advance the cause of chemical disarmament globally,” he added.

Foy’s tireless advocacy and regional initiatives have played a pivotal role in raising awareness, fostering cooperation, and building capacity among African nations to meet their obligations under the Convention.

The award ceremony was attended by diplomats, dignitaries, and representatives from 193 OPCW member states. 

OPCW Director General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, commended Foy's exceptional leadership and lauded his instrumental role in advancing the goals of the CWC in Africa.

Foy's advocacy efforts have encompassed a wide range of activities, including tier 1.5 engagements, capacity-building initiatives, and collaborative projects aimed at strengthening the national implementation of the CWC in African countries. 

His work has not only contributed to regional security but has also fostered international cooperation in the global effort to eliminate chemical weapons.

As the recipient of the OPCW-The Hague Award, Hubert Foy stands as a beacon of inspiration, reflecting the shared commitment of the global community to uphold the principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention and build a world free from the threat of chemical weapons.

On July 7, 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 OPCW’s strict verification regime.

 

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