On December 12, 2017 GPCA organized a roundtable workshop hosted by SABIC on the important topic of government and industry collaboration for chemical management and hazardous waste.
The event is a unique initiative by the chemical industry in the region to establish a forum of collaboration for GCC governments and the industry that effectively addresses chemical management risks and leverages industrial hazardous waste opportunities.
Held at SABIC’s headquarters in Riyadh, the introduction and welcome remarks were delivered by Yousef Al-Benyan, Chairman, GPCA and Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC.
Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, gave an overview of the association, while Ahmed Ajabnoor, Director Corporate Sustainability Assurance, Ma’aden, and Yasser Alsharani, Logistics Services Manager, Sadara, presented two important industry initiatives – Responsible Care and Gulf SQAS designed to enhance the health, safety and environmental performance of chemical producers in the region.
The government-industry roundtable brought together high ranking officials from key organizations in the region, including Saudi Arabia’s Royal Commission, GCC Standards Authorities, Civil Defense and the General Authority of Meteorology and Environmental Protection.
These were joined by representatives from Customs and Ports Authorities, the Ministries of Interior, Environment and Transport, as well as members of the GPCA Responsible Care® and Gulf SQAS Committee. Government officials from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain were also present at the event.
The event was attended by 54 government representatives, industry leaders and senior chemical professionals. Attendees were able to exchange knowledge and explore new opportunities for collaboration in the areas of industrial hazardous waste; carriage of dangerous goods by road; and the Global Harmonization System (GHS).
The focus of the conversation was aimed at addressing risks and building on opportunities directly related to people, the environment and overall chemicals management in the region.