Speech by Mr Kronenburg, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands

Expanding the international legal framework and making it more effective will contribute to commemorate all those who have perished through or suffered from chemical weapons. Their memory exhorts us to remain true to our pledge and to implement our obligations effectively.

Mr Chairman of the Conference of States Parties, Mr Director-General, Mr Deputy Mayor, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, It is a great honour for me to address you on the Third Day of Remembrance for all the victims of chemical warfare.

Remembering means turning to the past, that teaches us lessons for the future. By taking those lessons at heart, we create new perspectives for the future.

Just ten days ago, the Second Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention concluded with an extensive and forward-looking document. It was a challenge for delegations to reach consensus on it, but the end-result was worth the effort. At the same time, I believe of our cooperation can be further improved. All delegations, and I underline all, should make a common effort to make the OPCW even more effective. With the concluding document of the Conference, a sound basis for the future has been established.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, To honour the victims with our deeds, I believe it is important to engage stakeholders from outside the OPCW. They should be made more aware of work of the organisation and the implementation of the provisions in the Convention. This would improve conditions for peaceful use of chemistry and would make the ban on chemical weapons even more effective. Last year, during the celebration of the Tenth anniversary of the entering into force of the Convention, many States Parties and the Technical Secretariat organised exchanges between National Authorities, the private sector, non-governmental and scientific actors. The Netherlands and the Municipality of The Hague supported several events and publications. We are truly proud to be the host country for the OPCW.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, Expanding the international legal framework and making it more effective will contribute to commemorate all those who have perished through or suffered from chemical weapons. Their memory exhorts us to remain true to our pledge and to implement our obligations effectively.