The Hague, 15 May 2002

The United States has paid in full its annual assessed contribution to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

69 Member States of the Organisation have now paid their contributions in full. The total sum of the fully paid contributions equals 61.5% of the total assessed 2002 contributions. 14 States Parties have made partial payments of their 2002 assessment, totalling 5.2% of the total assessed contributions for 2002.

Annual contributions to the OPCW by each Member State are calculated on the basis of the United Nations scale of assessment, which is adjusted to take into account the composition of the OPCW's membership.

The timely payment by Member States of their annual contributions is essential for the effective functioning of the OPCW, which is tasked with implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The United States' contribution and the contributions of the other 68 Member States who have paid their assessments in full are greatly appreciated; the remaining 76 Member States are urged to follow suit as soon as possible.

The OPCW now has 145 Member States. Since the Convention entered into force, the OPCW has carried out more than 1,100 inspections of civilian and military facilities in 51 States Parties.