The Hague, 19 May 1999
Number 05
 
Press Release

Holy See Ratifies the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Holy See ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention on 12 May 1999. The Holy See will become the 122nd State Party to the Convention on 11 June 1999, thirty days after depositing its instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York. The Number of signatory States, i.e. those that have signed the Convention, but which have yet to ratify it, currently stands at 47.


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.

For further information, please contact the Media and Public Affairs Branch at: +31 70 416-3710

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