Group visits to the OPCW
Learn about the Chemical Weapons Convention and the work of the OPCW during a one-hour virtual or in-person visit to OPCW Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands.
Group visits to the OPCW can be requested for organised groups of 15+ people. They are appropriate for a range of participants including educators and students (university and above), government officials, civil society representatives, and scientists.
Friday visit programme
Once a month OPCW offers a special Friday visit programme for visitors to the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. Hosted in the Executive Council Chamber, participants learn about the Chemical Weapons Convention and the work of the OPCW through multiple presentations by OPCW staff, including an inside look at the routine and non-routine work of OPCW inspectors.
The Friday visit programme also includes a Q&A session with OPCW staff, a visit to the Nobel Peace Prize and the Delegates’ Lounge, and an optional session about OPCW’s internship programme.
2025 Friday Visits dates
| Date | Time |
|---|---|
| 5 September 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| 17 October 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| 7 November 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| 12 December 2025 | 14:00 – 15:00 |
| NOTICE: From 12 May to 1 August 2025 OPCW is unable host in-person group visits due to access limitations around the NATO Summit. In-person visit requests for that period will not be considered. Virtual visits are possible. |
Virtual and in-person group visits
Groups that are unable to attend a Friday visit may request a virtual or in-person visit to OPCW Headquarters. These one-hour visits include a presentation about the Chemical Weapons Convention and the work of the OPCW, followed by a Q&A session.
In-person visits also include a visit to the Nobel Peace Prize, the Delegates’ Lounge and the Executive Council Chamber, as well as an introduction to the gear and equipment used on a non-routine inspection.
The availability of visits is influenced by OPCW’s on-going work, including Executive Council sessions, the Conference of the States Parties, and preparations for these meetings. Availability listed in the table below is not a guarantee that a visit will be possible.
2025 OPCW visits calendar
| Date | Availability |
|---|---|
| 1 January 2025 | No visits |
| 2 January – 14 February 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 17 February – 3 March 2025 | Virtual visits ONLY |
| 4 March – 7 March 2025 | No visits |
| 10 March – 28 March 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 31 March 2025 | No visits |
| 1 April – 17 April 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 18 April – 21 April 2025 | No visits |
| 22 April- 24 April 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 25 April 2025 | No visits |
| 28 April – 9 May 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 29 May 2025 | No visits |
| 12 May – 1 August 2025 | Virtual visits ONLY |
| 1 August – 19 September 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 22 September – 6 October 2025 | Virtual visits ONLY |
| 7 October – 10 October 2025 | No visits |
| 24 October 2025 | No visits |
| 13 October –7 November 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 10 November – 21 November 2025 | Virtual visits ONLY |
| 24 November – 28 November 2025 | No visits |
| 1 December – 12 December 2025 | Virtual and in-person visits |
| 15 December – 2 January 2026 | No visits |
Individual visits to the OPCW
OPCW cannot accommodate individual visits to the OPCW. Individuals who wish to learn more about the OPCW and the Chemical Weapons Convention are encouraged to watch the OPCW Basics video series and consult the rich resources available on the OPCW website. The OPCW Basics video series covers the fundamentals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the work of the OPCW.
What will you discover on your visit to the OPCW?
Nobel Peace Prize
See the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the OPCW in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons
Executive Council Chamber
See the chambers where 41 elected OPCW Member States oversee the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention