The Convention commits the OPCW and its member countries to work together to promote the peaceful uses of chemistry, for the purpose of economic and technological development of countries that are members of the OPCW.

Work in this area is of great importance to the OPCW. Countries that do not have chemical weapons and that do not feel threatened by chemical weapons join the Convention largely because they want to develop their chemical industries and to take part in scientific and technological exchange, in the interest of peaceful chemistry.

To this end, the OPCW organises workshops, seminars, and conferences on the CWC, its benefits, and regional and international cooperation in the development of chemistry. The OPCW also sponsors internships and research projects and helps developing countries to gain access to the tools of modern industry, including sophisticated, “high-tech” equipment.

An important part of the OPCW’s international cooperation activities is the OPCW Associate Programme. This is an annual programme that brings together scientists, engineers and researchers from the developing world. The programme introduces these practitioners to the CWC and to advanced techniques in the chemical industry. Participants are also provided with hands-on experience in major advanced chemical companies.

To make the activities prohibited by the CWC — the development, production, stockpiling, use, and transfer of chemical weapons — illegal in each and every country that is a member of the OPCW, separate laws must be drafted in each country. International cooperation is important in achieving this requirement under the Convention. All member countries must pass their own national laws to enforce the prohibitions and requirements of the Convention, and to punish offenders. Many countries have received help from the OPCW in writing and enacting such laws.