PR25: Gabon and Jamaica Join the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, 14 September 2000			Number 25

Press Release

Gabon and Jamaica Join the Chemical Weapons Convention

Decisions welcomed by OPCW, bringing us closer towards universality

Gabon and Jamaica joined the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by depositing their instruments of ratification with the UN Secretary-General on Friday, 8 September 2000. Under the terms of the CWC, the Convention will enter into force for both countries 30 days later - on 8 October.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) welcomed the initiative taken by these two nations to join the Convention, particularly since their regions - Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean - have been largely under-represented within the Organisation. Gabon is the third African nation to join the Convention this year, following the example set earlier on by Eritrea and Mozambique.

The number of Member States now stands at 136, and signatory States (i.e. those that have signed the Convention, but have yet to ratify it) currently stands at 35.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) came into existence on 29 April 1997. Its deed of foundation—the Chemical Weapons Convention—aims to achieve four principal objectives: the elimination of chemical weapons and of the capacity to develop them, the verification of non-proliferation, international assistance and protection in the event of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons, and international cooperation and assistance in the peaceful use of chemistry.

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