ANNEX
PROJECT DOCUMENT
Union Support for Enhancing the OPCW Operational Effectiveness through Satellite Imagery
1. Background
The OPCW analytical processes require corroboration and verification of evidentiary information provided in the most robust manners available. Satellite imagery, while not the only source of evidentiary information, can provide indicators and corroboration not available from other sources thus providing valuable analytical insights that can be used to ensure the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Key to this is sufficient capacity institutionally, of which imagery and imagery analysis can facilitate more detailed and robust mission planning, mitigation of security risks for deployed teams, as well as evidentiary information and analysis for more cost effective verification.
Through the implementation of Council Decision CFSP/2017/2303, the OPCW has come to rely on the unique information SATCEN’s imagery analysis provides both for mission planning and information analysis. OPCW efforts to conduct more thorough witness interviews, corroborate witness statements and more accurately identify locations of interest have been enhanced by satellite imagery. Since 2014, satellite imagery of the Syrian Arab Republic (SAR) has reinforced situational awareness and security and reduced risk for OPCW field missions with regard to locations to be visited/inspected. Integrating imagery analysis into operational planning has allowed OPCW teams to fine-tune their actions on site by providing team members with near real-time images of the area in which they will deploy. Imagery analysis has proven to be and will continue to be strategic enabler of OPCW’s analytical efforts.
Furthermore, a number of investigations of allegations of use remain outstanding as well as Executive Council (EC) Decisions mandating additional site visits, fact-finding missions and investigations that continue to require satellite imagery support. The unique analytical capabilities provided by SATCEN has allowed OPCW’s mandated teams to corroborate information from other sources and to analyse more thoroughly incidents of alleged use in SAR. Satellite imagery analysis has proven to be indispensable to the OPCW teams involved in SAR. Beyond its mandated activities related to SAR, the OPCW foresees an increasing role for satellite imagery analysis in cases of allegations of chemical weapons use outside of SAR to facilitate the implementation of CWC Article IX related activities (consultations, cooperation and fact-finding), as well as in the case of possible future accession to the CWC for possessor states.
2. Project Purpose
2.1 Overall Objectives of the Project
The overall objective of the Project is to ensure Secretariat capacity to facilitate implementation of CWC Article IX (consultations, cooperation and fact-finding) and related OPCW EC Decisions, through the provision of imagery services that addresses gaps in situational awareness for missions, such that it contributes to OPCW’s decreased deployment vulnerability and maximises OPCW’s analytical efficiency.
2.2 Specific Objectives
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Expanding OPCW’s capacity to support OPCW mandated activities (DAT, FFM, IIT, etc.) through imagery analysis as a source of evidentiary substantiation or corroboration of findings.
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Utilisation of targeted imagery analysis for areas of interest (sites, routes, etc.) in planning for OPCW mandated Missions (incidents of alleged use (IAU), challenge inspections (CI), technical assistance visit (TAV), etc.) to increase security and confidence in verification accuracy.
2.3 Results
Expected results the Project contributes to are as follows:
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utilisation of imagery and analysis, regarding targeted evidence, to inform and corroborate teams findings and verification processes,
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minimisation of security risks and increased situational awareness to facilitate the most efficient OPCW Mission planning possible.
3. Description of Activities
Activity 1 – Enabling the OPCW to effectively conduct, through imagery capacity, appropriate oversight and provide requisite reporting to OPCW policy making organs (EC and CSP)
This activity seeks to provide, through imagery and imagery analysis, the OPCW with the capacity to inform targeted analytical evidentiary undertakings, while optimising OPCW planning (allocation and efforts) for increased missions efficiency and decreased vulnerability.
Activity 2 – Enabling the OPCW through imagery capacity to accurately, effectively, and safely conduct verification activities and provide requested assistance to States Parties
This activity focuses on the provision of imagery services, on an as needed basis, for varied CWC fact finding requests submitted by States Parties (IAU, CI, TAV, etc.), as well as optimising OPCW planning (allocation and efforts) for increased missions efficiency and decreased vulnerability.
4. Duration
The total estimated duration of implementation funded through this project are expected to be incurred and concluded over a 48 month period.
5. Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries from the project will be OPCW Technical Secretariat personnel and teams; and CWC stakeholders including States Parties.
6. EU Visibility
The OPCW shall take all appropriate measures, within reasonable security considerations and visibility/communication measures available to the project, to publicise the fact that this project has been funded by the Union.
