Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, a professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), has been awarded the prestigious 2023 The Hague Award. The award was presented to her at the inauguration of the 28th session of the OPCW annual Conference of States Parties (CSP 28) on November 29.
Dr. Razia is the first Bangladeshi to receive this award. She was recognized for her contributions to promoting chemical safety and security in Bangladesh, as well as for her role as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) from 2018 to 2023.
The Hague Award is given annually by the Netherlands to individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the global fight against chemical weapons. The award is named after the city of The Hague, where the OPCW is headquartered.
The other co-recipients of the 2023 The Hague Award were Spiez Laboratory (Switzerland) and Hubert K Foy, director of the African Centre for Science and International Security.
Dr. Razia’s Contributions to Chemical Safety and Security
Dr. Razia has been a leading voice in promoting chemical safety and security in Bangladesh for many years. She has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the risks of chemical weapons and to develop strategies to prevent their use.
In her role as a member of the SAB, Dr. Razia provided expert advice to the OPCW on a wide range of scientific and technical issues. She was also instrumental in developing the OPCW’s capacity-building programs for developing countries.
The Significance of Dr. Razia’s Award
Dr. Razia’s award is a testament to her outstanding contributions to the field of chemical disarmament. Her work has helped to make the world a safer place by reducing the threat of chemical weapons.
Dr. Razia’s award is also an inspiration to other Bangladeshi scientists and engineers. It shows that Bangladesh is making a significant contribution to the global fight against chemical weapons.