Stefan Mogl was chosen unanimously by the 25 members of the scientific advisory board, which is composed of experts from industry, academic science and research who advise the director general of the OPCW in all technical issues relating to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. In addition, the advisory board reports every five years to the review conference on developments in science and technology that could have an impact on the implementation of the Convention. Furthermore, the advisory board can call for additional expert groups to clarify specific questions. There are currently three temporary working groups addressing the topics ‘Convergence in Chemistry and Biology', ‘Education and Outreach in Science and Technology' and ‘Sampling and Analysis'.

The chairman of the scientific advisory board is responsible for compiling the agenda and chairing the board's meetings. The OPCW is facing important strategic decisions: After centring on the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, the organisation is now increasingly focusing on the non-proliferation of chemical weapons and the responsible handling of technical expertise that could be abused for harmful purposes.

Stefan Mogl (born in 1965) studied chemistry at the Technikum Winterthur. In 1997 he was trained by the OPCW as chemical weapons inspector and in 2000 became head of the OPCW laboratory. 2003 he obtained an MBA from the British Open University. In 2005, he returned to Switzerland and assumed a new function as chemical weapons expert in the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). Since 2007 he has served as head of the chemistry department at the SPIEZ LABORATORY, a branch of the Federal Office for Civil Protection FOCP.

Address for enquiries:

Publisher:

Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports DDPS

Internet: http://www.vbs.admin.ch

Federal Office for Civil Protection

Internet: http://www.bevoelkerungsschutz.admin.ch/