The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda Visits the OPCW

On 26 April 2006, H.E. Dr. Charles Murigande, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Rwanda, paid the first official visit by the Rwandan Government to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. The OPCW implements the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans absolutely the development, production, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons, while stipulating the irreversible destruction of all existing stocks of these weapons.

OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, briefed Minister Murigande on the status of the Convention’s implementation by the OPCW’s 178 Member States. He provided information on the progress being made towards the elimination of the global chemical weapons stockpile and in the application of the non-proliferation program designed to prevent these weapon’s re-emergence.

Minister Murigande, in his meeting with Director-General Pfirter, expressed Rwanda’s firm commitment to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and its resolve to maintain effective cooperation with the OPCW. He assured Director-General Pfirter that Rwanda will undertake every effort to comply with its obligations under the Convention. Minister Murigande also extended his offer of support to the OPCW in its effort to ensure that every African nation becomes party to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

In addition, Minister Murigande briefed Director-General Pfirter on the security situation in the region, as well as on Rwanda’s effort towards post-conflict reconstruction. He requested the OPCW’s support and assistance in enhancing the Rwandan Government’s scientific and technical capacity to implement the Convention at the national level.

Director-General Pfirter expressed his sympathies to the Rwandan nation for the human tragedy caused by the genocide. He lauded the Government’s progress towards recovery and reconstruction. Director-General Pfirter assured Minister Murigande that the OPCW can and will provide the support needed to apply the Convention effectively in Rwanda. He also noted that a Rwandan chemist will be participating in the forthcoming OPCW Associate Programme that provides training in industrial best practice to chemists from Member States whose economies are developing or in transition.

Minister Murigande commended the OPCW for establishing the 29th of April as the Remembrance Day for all victims of chemical warfare and expressed the hope that its annual observance will serve to sustain the victims’ memory and prevent these weapons’ use in future.

PR28 / 2006

Categories: Africa, Associate Programme, Outreach