Manama, Dec. 11 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today issued Edict (78) of 2025 regarding the formation of the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction, based on a proposal submitted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and following the approval of the Cabinet.

Article (I)

A committee named the "The National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons of Mass Destruction", referred to in this edict as "the Committee", shall be formed under the chairmanship of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, with the following members:

1. Assistant Commander of the Military Judiciary at the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) as Vice Chairman

2. Director General of Legal Affairs and Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

3. Assistant Undersecretary for Local and Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce

4. Head of Strategic Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

5. Director of Customs Security at the General Directorate of Customs Inspection and Security at the Ministry of Interior

6. Director of the Directorate of Criminal Evidence at General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science at the Ministry of Interior

7. Director of the Directorate of Protection and Safety at the General Directorate of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior

8. Director of Radiation Protection at the Executive Body of the Supreme Council for the Environment

9. Director of Policies and Strategic Planning at the Ministry of Oil and Environment

10. Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health

11. Director of the Animal Health Directorate at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture

12. Head of the Executive Office of the National Committee for Civil Emergency Management

Article (II)

Membership in the Committee shall be for a term of four years, renewable for similar terms. Should any member’s seat become vacant, a representative from the same entity shall be nominated to complete the remaining term.

Article (III)

The Committee shall undertake the following tasks and powers:

1. The tasks and powers stipulated in Law No. (51) of 2009 regarding the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and Their Destruction.

2. The tasks and powers stipulated in Law No. (27) of 2022 regarding Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and their Destruction.

3. The tasks and powers stipulated in paragraph (4) of Article Seven of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction.

4. Following up on the implementation of all agreements, treaties, and protocols related to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems, including UN Security Council resolutions and agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as related matters.

5. Acting as a point of contact with international organisations and agencies concerned with the prohibition of weapons of mass destruction.

6. Proposing legislation related to its aforementioned duties and powers.

Article (IV)

The Committee shall meet periodically, or whenever necessary, at the invitation of the Chairman or Vice Chairman, at the time and place determined. Meetings shall only be valid with a quorum of the majority of members, provided the Chairman or Vice Chairman is among them.

Article (V)

The Committee shall issue its decisions and recommendations by majority vote of the attending members. In the event of a tie, the side of the meeting’s chair shall prevail.

Article (VI)

The Committee shall establish its internal regulations, including the schedule of its meetings and the rules necessary for exercising its functions.

Article (VII)

The Chairman shall appoint a Secretariat from among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ staff. The Secretariat shall be responsible for preparing meetings, recording minutes, coordinating among members, and performing any other tasks assigned by the Committee.

Article (VIII)

The Chairman shall appoint a National Liaison Officer (NLO) and an Assistant National Liaison Officer (NLA) from among the Secretariat’s members to coordinate with the relevant international organisations.

Article (IX)

The Committee may form working groups from its members or others to study one or more topics presented to it. Working groups shall submit their reports to the Committee immediately upon completing their work.

Article (X)

To perform its duties, the Committee may seek assistance from experts and specialists as it deems appropriate, inviting them to attend its meetings for consultation, discussion, or to provide information deemed necessary to carry out its functions. They shall not hold voting rights.

Article (XI)

The Committee may request from ministries, government entities, and other relevant entities any data or information related to its work.

Article (XII)

The Committee shall submit an annual report, including its findings and recommendations, to the Cabinet.

Article (XIII)

All information, deliberations, data, decisions, and recommendations issued by the Committee or related to its work shall be classified and confidential. They may not be disclosed or used for purposes other than those intended, except in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Anyone who violates the confidentiality of this information shall be subject to the penalty provided under Article (19) of Law No. (51) of 2009 on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and Their Destruction

Article (XIV)

Edict (5) of 2011 regarding the establishment and formation of the National Committee for the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction is hereby repealed.

Article (XV)

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and the concerned entities, each within their capacity, shall implement the provisions of this edict, which shall take effect the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

Z.H, A.A.M