Review Conference Working Group Holds Third Meeting

23 November 2006

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.

PR88 / 2006