OPCW director general calls for deeper ties to other international organizations to combat terrorism

Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Director General Ahmet Üzümcü said that technology, threats and actors have altered the global landscape and that OPCW is adapting to “meet this changing environment and the risks and dangers it will create” during an address in Austria on Thursday.

During a trip to Vienna, Üzümcü met with Karin Kneissl, the Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, and delivered a speech at the Foreign Policy and United Nations Association of Austria.

Üzümcü outlined past and future challenges during the address but concluded that “the world is a safer place because of the work carried out by the OPCW and its states parties under the convention”.

Pointing recent events in Syria, Üzümcü warned about complacency and emerging challenges to the current global security environment that require attention.

“Recent events in Syria and other countries have demonstrated that the international norm against chemical weapons is not immune from erosion,” Üzümcü said. “We must be mindful of these pressures and vigilant against those who actively seek to undermine international peace and security.”

Üzümcü also said OPCW could do more to establish relationships with other international organizations “to ensure interoperability and efficiency in suppressing acts of terrorism.” Specifically, the director general said he would like OPCW to deepen engagement with European Union on counterterrorism efforts.