Process automation across industries depends heavily on Industrial Control Systems for monitoring, controlling and supervision. Computer viruses and worms specifically designed to target these control systems deployed in the chemicals processing facilities could be a potent threat if Toxic Industrial Materials are released into the atmosphere, following an engineered accident(cyber attack).

This is the text of the speech delivered by the Director-General of the OPCW H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi on September 3, 2015. He spoke on Reinforcing Norm Against Chemical Weapons.

There has been an increase in speculations surrounding the possible use of chemical and biological weapons in the aftermath of Paris massacre. These fears and speculations are not random or isolated. They emerge from events in the war theatres of Iraq and Syria that witnessed increasing use of chemical weapons such as chlorine and mustard gas against civilians and military alike across the globe after the outbreak of Ebola virus.

Introduction

Ebola virus has been spreading exponentially. As of October 23, 2014, the total number of confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola infection stood at 10,141 including 4,922 reported deaths.1 With the number of new reported cases continuing to increase rapidly, the situation remains worrisome in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

23 July 2012 was an important landmark in the Syrian conflict as on that date the Syrian Government officially acknowledged possessing chemical weapons. However, the spokesperson, Jihad Mikdassi, said that “any chemical or bacterial weapon will never be used – and I repeat will never be used – during the crisis in Syria regardless of the developments.

The Recent epidemic of Ebola caused panic across the world and all efforts are being made to contain its spread. Recent years have also seen incidences of accidents and security breaches at well guarded and well managed bio-containment facilities in USA (Anthrax, West Nile Virus, and Tuberculosis), UK (Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), USSR (Anthrax), Singapore (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and China (SARS) and many other countries.

21st century scientific advancement in the healthcare sector seems to be helpless in front of a viral disease that is spreading terror in Africa and in the minds of global community. The terror factor is none other than the ‘Ebola Virus Disease’ which was once known as the ‘Ebola haemorrhagic fever’.1 It was discovered in 1976 during two coinciding outbreaks, in Democratic Republic of Congo and in Sudan.