Denmark’s Permanent Under Secretary of State visits OPCW headquarters to discuss Chemical Weapons Convention implementation

The Kingdom of Denmark’s Permanent Under-Secretary of State Michael Starbæk Christensen recently visited the headquarters of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague to discuss ways to strengthen international cooperation against chemical weapons use.

Christensen, who was accompanied by Denmark’s Permanent Representative to the OPCW Ole Emil Moesby and Counselor to the Permanent Representative Christian Nissen, were first briefed by OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü on matters related to the effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and preventing the use of chemical weapons by non-state actors.

Üzümcü additionally briefed Christensen on the ongoing investigation into allegations that the Syrian regime, led by Bashar al-Assad, used chemical weapons against its own people in April.

Üzümcü made it a point to express his appreciation for Denmark’s strong commitment to effective CWC implementation and support for OPCW activities, specifically mentioning the country’s contributions to assisting in the destruction of Libya’s former chemical weapons stockpile.

“Denmark is proud to have supported the effort towards a world permanently free of chemical weapons and stands ready to assist the OPCW in all future endeavors,” Christensen 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.