Review Conference Working Group Holds Third Meeting

The Role Of The CWC In Enhancing International Peace And Security

The Open-Ended Working Group for the Chemical Weapons Convention’s Second Review Conference (WGRC) held its third meeting on 13 November 2006 at the headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.

The WGRC Chairman, H.E. Ambassador Lyn Parker, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom, opened the session, attended by representatives of 36 CWC States Parties, including the Vice-Chairs: the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mexico, the Russian Federation, and The Sudan.

The Third Meeting addressed the role of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in enhancing international peace and security. The issues discussed included the importance of the destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles within the applicable deadlines, the importance of achieving universal adherence to and full and prompt implementation of the CWC, and the role of the CWC in responding to the threat of international terrorism.

At the meeting, the Working Group also continued its consideration of the contribution of civil society to the review process.

The Working Group will hold its next meeting on 11 December 2006.

FOR INFORMATION — NOT AN OFFICIAL RECORD

For further information please contact: Media and Public Affairs Branch, + 31 (0) 70 416 3710, media@opcw.org,
Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, The Netherlands.