H.E. Mr René Miko, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the OPCW, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW
THE HAGUE, Netherlands—17 November 2025—The Government of the Czech Republic has provided a voluntary contribution of more than €10,000 to support assistance and protection programmes and projects under the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ (OPCW) Africa Programme.
The contribution was formalised on 23 October 2025 in a signing ceremony held between the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the OPCW, H.E. Mr René Miko, and the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, at the OPCW’s Headquarters in The Hague.
Ambassador Miko stated: “This contribution reflects Czechia’s enduring support for international peace and security, and our belief in the importance of capacity-building and regional cooperation in the field of chemical disarmament. The Africa Programme plays a vital role in strengthening the implementation of the CWC across the African continent, enhancing national capacities, and promoting chemical safety and security.”
Director-General Arias stated: “I express my sincere appreciation to Czechia for its continued support in developing the capacity of first responders from African Member States to address chemical emergencies. Enhancing national and regional mechanisms to successfully manage chemical incidents or attacks is a key capability for all Member States to protect their populations from chemical incidents and emergencies.”
Background
The Czech Republic has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997.
Since 2023, the Czech Republic has contributed a total of EUR 34,973 to OPCW trust funds as follows: Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X – EUR 22,826 in 2023 (partly earmarked for assistance and protection activities related to Ukraine), and EUR 12,147 in 2024. Additionally, the Czech Republic donated EUR 19,491 to the Trust Fund for a Centre for Chemistry and Technology Trust Fund in 2019.
OPCW’s Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa on the Chemical Weapons Convention – more commonly known as the Africa Programme – focuses on the needs of African Member States, including the promotion of peaceful and authorised uses of chemistry for inclusive and sustainable development and for a safe and secure Africa. The Africa Programme continues to be funded mainly through the OPCW regular budget. Extrabudgetary resources are used to further expand the Programme’s depth, reach, and impact.
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.
In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.