The Hague, 29 April 2004

Chemical Weapons Ban Enters Eighth Year

Seven years ago today on 29 April 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, banning forever the development, production, stockpiling, use or transfer of chemical weapons. The Convention has been recognized by the international community as a comprehensive, non-discriminatory and effective legal instrument in the field of disarmament and arms control.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was established to implement the Convention as an independent, multilateral disarmament agency, whose initial membership numbered 87 Member States, and has now grown to include 162 Member States.

Since 1997, six States Parties have declared chemical weapons stockpiles, totalling more than 71,000 metric tonnes, sufficient in quantity to kill all human life. In over 1,000 chemical weapons-related inspections, the OPCW’s inspectors have verified the destruction of more than 8.5 million munitions and containers, as well as over 8,600 metric tonnes of chemical agent. All of the 64 chemical weapons production facilities, declared by 12 States Parties, have been inactivated, destroyed or converted.

OPCW inspectors also inspected declared chemical industrial sites in over 650 industrial inspections in 63 States Parties to ensure that these facilities do not engage in any activity that is prohibited by the Convention.

The OPCW provides training and delivers expert assistance around the world to enhance Member States’ programmes for civil protection against chemical weapons.

To promote the peaceful uses of chemistry, the Organisation also provides technical training and support programmes to enable National Authorities to effectively implement the Convention and to develop the peaceful uses of chemistry.

OPCW Director General, Rogelio Pfirter, noted, “The OPCW has enjoyed considerable success in this short period, but we also face sobering challenges: some States have not yet renounced these despicable weapons. Chemical weapons stockpiles must be destroyed swiftly. The Convention’s implementation at the national level must be significantly strengthened. Our Member States are actively encouraging universal membership in the Organisation and are cooperating intensively with fellow Member States to enhance national implementation. This development is crucial in responding to the threat of chemical terrorism.” In response to this threat, the United Nations Security Council has just unanimously adopted Resolution 1540, deciding that all States shall adopt and enforce appropriate effective laws which prohibit any non-State actor to manufacture, acquire, possess, develop, transport, transfer or use weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons, in particular for terrorist purposes. All States are urged to promote the universal adoption and full implementation of the multilateral treaties to which they are parties, including the Chemical Weapons Convention. Director General Pfirter expressed his recognition of “the unanimous expression of support for the OPCW contained in this resolution, which encourages us to renew our efforts.“