The Hague, 26 May 1999
Number 08
 
Press Release

The Republic of the Sudan Accedes to the Chemical Weapons Convention

The Republic of the Sudan acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention on 24 May 1999. The Republic of the Sudan will become the 124th State Party to the Convention on 23 June 1999, thirty days after depositing its instrument of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations in New York.

John Gee, acting Director-General of the OPCW, welcomed the accession of this key African and Middle Eastern state, and called on other states in these regions which have not yet done so, to follow Sudan's example and to ratify or accede to the Convention.

The number of signatory states, i.e. those that have signed the Convention, but which have yet to ratify it, currently stands at 46.


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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Media and Public Affairs, External Relations Division
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