Latin American and Caribbean State Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) recently convened at a meeting at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ headquarters in The Hague to commemorate the CWC’s 20th anniversary and discuss the full implementation of the convention’s provisions.
The meeting featured speakers from the OPCW’s Sub-Working Group on Non-State Actors, the OPCW Advisory Board on Education and Outreach, senior government experts, international organizations, and chemical industry associations, all of whom agreed on the important role that national authorities play in countering emerging threats.
Participants took the opportunity to underscore the importance of education and outreach efforts in raising awareness of the chemical weapons convention and the need to engage with the chemical industry.
“After 20 years of existence, the OPCW remains steadfast in its commitment to the promotion of peaceful uses of chemistry and builds on the approaches and partnerships nurtured over the years,” Ava Marius, Representative to the National Authority of St. Lucia, said. “The energy and dedication of the national authorities staff is as vigorous as it was 20 years ago, and we look forward to our continued cooperation with the OPCW.”
The meeting also featured attendee presentations that detailed each nation’s efforts in implementing CWC provisions and objectives for the coming year.
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.