THE HAGUE, Netherlands—25 March 2022—Members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council attended a chemical demilitarisation transparency event hosted virtually by the United States of America and held at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague from 21 to 22 March 2022. The event focussed on destruction progress at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) in Richmond, Kentucky.
The United States is in the process of completing destruction of its remaining chemical weapons stockpiles in line with a decision of the Conference of States Parties. Inspectors from the OPCW monitor and verify destruction progress 24/7.
During the event, American officials provided an overview of the chemical weapons destruction in the United States and details on destruction progress at the BGCAPP. The destruction facility was designated to destroy all nerve agent-filled munitions stored at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity Chemical Weapons Storage Facility.
Topics covered in presentations and discussions included the measures that have been taken to accelerate destruction progress and the technologies used to destroy chemical weapons. Participants were also briefed on the approaches used to ensure the health and safety of people and the environment near the destruction sites including the involvement of the local community in decision making.
Background
There are two remaining declared chemical weapons stockpiles in the world, both in the United States. As of 28 February 2022, the United States has completed the destruction of 97.65% of its declared Category 1 chemical weapons. All Category 2 and 3 chemical weapons declared by the United States have been destroyed.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.