PR27: Nauru Ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Hague, 15 November 2001			Number 27

Press Release

Nauru Ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador José M. Bustani, welcomes the ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by the Republic of Nauru; the Pacific island state deposited its instrument of ratification with the United Nations Secretary-General on 12 November 2001.

Following the accession to the Convention by Kiribati and the ratification by the Federated States of Micronesia last year, Nauru will become the eighth member of the Pacific Islands Forum represented at the OPCW. This important step by Nauru should encourage other countries in the region that are not yet members of the OPCW to join the Convention.

Nauru will become the 144^th State Party to the Convention on 12 December 2001, thirty days after the deposit of its instrument of ratification. The number of signatory States—those that have signed the Convention, but which have yet to ratify it—stands at 30.

This significant development brings the OPCW closer to the goal of universality of the Convention.

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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