The Hague, 27 August 2003

New Zealand’s Deputy Leader of the Progressive Coalition Party, Honourable Mr Matt Robson, Visits OPCW

On 27 August 2003, the Deputy Leader of the Progressive Coalition Party of New Zealand, Hon. Mr Matt Robson, who is a Member of Parliament, paid an official visit to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

While at the OPCW, Hon. Mr Robson met with Acting Director-General, Mr Brian Hawtin, and senior officials, to discuss issues relating to the status on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Mr Robson was informed about the challenges facing the Organisation and the results of the recently concluded First CWC Review Conference.

The discussion focused on issues of the effective national implementation of the Convention and progress towards universality. In this regard, New Zealand’s efforts aimed at promoting the CWC in the Pacific Region were emphasised. Mr Robson reiterated his country’s strong commitment to multilateralism and disarmament and the key role of the United Nations and other organisations such as the OPCW in strengthening international security.

Mr Brian Hawtin commended New Zealand’s contribution to the implementation of the Convention and strong support of the OPCW’s work in chemical disarmament.

Mr Robson is a barrister and joined the Progressive Coalition Party in 2002. He was appointed as the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as Minister of Corrections and Minister for Courts from 1999 to 2002. He had previously visited the OPCW in that capacity in March 2000.