OPCW Director-General addresses US defense officials during visit to United States

Ahmet Üzümcü, Director-General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), recently gave a speech to key U.S. State Department officials in a commemorative event to mark the Chemical Weapons Convention’s (CWC) 20th anniversary during his visit to the United States.

Prior to his address, Üzümcü met with key U.S. defense officials, including U.S. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster, Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan, and Acting Assistant Secretary of State Anita Friedt, where Üzümcü discussed ongoing priorities for the OPCW and provided an update into the organization’s investigation into reported chemical weapons use by the Syrian regime in April.

The Director-General also took the opportunity to talk about his organization’s global role in preventing the use of chemical weapons by non-state actors. In response, U.S. officials reiterated their commitment to provisions of the CWC.

In his speech, Üzümcü noted the OPCW’s achievements and lessons learned over the last two decades, while highlighting the continuing challenges seen in implementing the CWC.

When referencing the organization’s fact-finding mission into alleged Syrian chemical weapons use, Üzümcü said the work was of historic importance in the organization’s collective quest to uphold fundamental norms and values as an enlightened and humane civilization.

“I am confident that the United States will continue with its tradition of strong support for the organization,” Üzümcü said.

OPCW serves as the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Entered into force in 1997, the convention represents the most-successful disarmament treaty in history targeting an entire class of weapons.

To date, approximately 95 percent of all chemical weapons stockpiles declares by OPCW’s 192 member states have been destroyed under the organization’s verification.