Universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention Discussed between OPCW Director-General and Representatives of Six States not Party

During his official visit to New York from 17 - 19 October 2007 in connection with the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter held bilateral meetings with representatives of six States that are not yet party to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The meetings represented a continuation of the Organisation's dialogue aiming to promote universal adherence to the Convention.

Director-General Pfirter met with H.E. Mr Enriquillo A. del Rosario Ceballos, Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic to the UN; H.E. Mr Maged Abdelaziz, Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UN; H.E. Mr Hamid Al Bayati, Permanent Representative of Iraq to the UN; H.E. Dr Nawaf Salam, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lebanon to the UN; Mr Hla Myint, Director-General of International Organisations and Economic Department of the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Union of Myanmar; H.E. Dr Elmi Duale, Permanent Representative of Somalia to the UN and Mr Luc Joseph Dkio, the Acting Permanent Representative of Congo to the United Nations.

During these meetings, Director-General Pfirter underscored the importance of the CWC’s universality to ensure that the global ban on chemical weapons can reach its fullest potential. He also stressed that the Convention is an essential tool for the promotion of international peace and security and in contributing to the response to new threats, including terrorism. The meetings were cordial and constructive and a number of Representatives informed the Director-General that their countries were at an advanced stage of finalising the national procedures for joining the Convention.

PR109/2007

Categories: Universality