Impressions on the Second Review Conference

By H.E. Ambassador Waleed Ben Abdel Karim El Khereiji of Saudi Arabia

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is a multilateral agreement which effectively bans a wide range of weapons of mass-destruction. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has enhanced peace and security through disarmament and non-proliferation of a particular category of weapons of mass destruction—chemical weapons.

The Review Conference of the CWC is an important milestone in the life of the OPCW that takes place every five years. This year’s Second Review Conference ended with a clear reaffirmation of the provisions of the Convention, and adds to the record of what had been achieved since the first Review Conference in 2003.

In accordance with Rule 8 (b) of the Rules of Procedure of the Conference, I was elected as Chairperson. I would like to express my gratitude to all the participants for their trust and confidence in me and for their support, which was vital to the success of the Conference and its final comprehensive document.

The Second Review Conference witnessed the participation of States Parties delegations as well as States not Party that were accorded observer status. Also in attendance were representatives of five international organizations, specialized agencies and other international bodies, and 28 chemical industry associations and non-governmental organizations.

During the Conference the main emphasis was to achieve common solutions and keep the principle of consensus while making decisions. Although the discussions were difficult, the States Parties succeeded in agreeing to a final document that reaffirms their strong commitment to ban chemical weapons through their complete destruction within the stipulated deadlines of the CWC.

The Second Review Conference was an opportunity to stress the effective role of the OPCW in confidence building and the non-proliferation aims of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

In addition, the Second Review Conference made clear the intention and strong determination of the States Parties to achieve universality by urging those States that have yet to join the CWC to ratify or accede to it. It also strengthened the verification measures and reaffirmed that full and effective national implementation of the obligations under the Convention is essential for realising its object and purposes.

Importantly, the Second Review Conference has shown that the CWC remains a unique, multilateral agreement that bans an entire category of weapons of mass destruction under an effective international verification regime.

This Convention contributes to global peace and security by eliminating the threatening existing stockpiles of chemical weapons and prohibiting their acquisition and use. It is also important to note the significance of international cooperation in the field of the peaceful uses of chemistry, which is one of the main pillars of the CWC.

The Convention sets new standards for global disarmament and non-proliferation through verification in a non-discriminatory and multilateral manner.

Therefore, I believe that the Second Review Conference did achieve its goals and the final document, which represented all regional groups, is comprehensive. It reflected the different viewpoints of the participants and clarified the outcome of five years of work.

In conclusion, I firmly believe that the role of the Chemical Weapons Convention is to enhance peace, stability and security in the whole world as set forth in the preamble of the Convention. The OPCW has reached a stage where it is in position to meet posed challenges and face them in an effective way. This necessitates adequate political support and commitment.

Categories: RC-2