Opening a Workshop on the Globally Harmonized System of Classifications, Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)
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Alexandria — Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Director of the Library of Alexandria opened the Regional Workshop on the Globally Harmonized System of Classifications, Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), organized by the BA in cooperation with the Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the Swiss Government during the Period from 30th of October to 2nd of November. Eng. Maged George Elias, the Minster of Environmental Affairs, Dr. Fatma El-Mallah, Director of the Department of Environment and Population, the Arab League, General Adel Labib, Governor of Alexandria, Dr. Salah Soliman, Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, and 19 official delegations from different Arab countries attended the workshop.
The Opening session started with a Speech by Dr. Salah Soliman, Professor of Pesticide Chemistry and Toxicology, Faculty of Agriculture, and the Representative of the Ministry of Agriculture in the workshop. Dr. Soliman explained the importance of the workshop to establish a regional system similar to the global system of classification and labeling of chemicals, which is a new internationally agreed tool for chemical hazard communication.
Dr. Fatma El-Mallah, Director of the Department of Environment and Population, the Arab League explained the role of the Arab League, the Arab Work Group for Sustainable Development, and the Joint Committee on Environment in the Arab World in preserving the environmental system and adhering to the international conventions in this respect, including managing chemical risks through sound means of classification and labeling.
General Adel Labib, Governor of Alexandria stressed on the importance of implementing the global system on the regional level as a part of managing chemicals risks.
Eng. Maged George Elias, the Minster of Environmental Affairs stated that the classification, labeling and development of safety data sheets require a broad spectrum of expertise to considerably enhance the overall capacity of government institutions and the private sector to perform hazard assessment as well as manage chemical risks.