The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, addressed the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee on 18 June 2009.
In his address, Director-General Pfirter recalled that shortly after the adoption of UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001) which created the Counter-Terrorism Committee, the OPCW Executive Council at its Twenty-Seventh Session on 11 December 2001 recognised that the full and effective implementation of all the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in and of itself makes a significant contribution to global counter-terrorism efforts.
Director-General Pfirter pointed out that, in the context of the CWC, the Council decided the contribution of the OPCW should focus on five key elements: the promotion of universal adherence to the CWC; the full implementation of legislative measures as required by its Article VII; the achievement of full destruction of chemical weapons and the means to produce them; full implementation of the provisions of Article VI, which relates to verification and inspections of chemical industries; and strengthening the ability of the OPCW to respond to the assistance and protection provisions under Article X.
The Director-General then reviewed the progress which the OPCW has made in these areas and the challenges that lie ahead. He highlighted the OPCW’s cooperation with the United Nations and relevant regional and international organisations, and the support which the Technical Secretariat provides to OPCW Member States for putting into place the necessary rules and regulations to fully implement the CWC at national level. He also noted that contemporary security threats have created increased interest among Member States in the OPCW’s ability to coordinate the delivery of emergency assistance in case of an attack, or threat of an attack, with chemical weapons.
The Director-General stated that these activities have contributed to international efforts against terrorism within the framework of UNSC Resolutions 1373 and 1540, as well as the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2006.