OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, addresses Permanent Representations to the OPCW based outside of the Netherlands on 13 November 2025 in Brussels, Belgium.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands—13 November 2025— The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, together with Deputy Director-General Ambassador Odette Melono, and led an annual briefing for Permanent Representations based outside The Hague. The Chairperson of the Executive Council, H.E. Ambassador Thomas Schieb of Germany, also participated and delivered a presentation. The meeting brought together 45 delegates representing 35 countries.
A luncheon following the briefing was hosted by the Government of Belgium at Egmont Palace in Brussels. Belgium’s Minister of Defence, H.E. Mr Theo Francken, welcomed participants, stating: “The ban on chemical weapons carries a special meaning for my country. It was on our soil, near Ypres in 1915, that poisonous gas was used in battle for the very first time.” He added: “Our accomplishments must not slip away through acquiescence. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons remains a unique instrument in this regard. It embodies a near-universal rejection of chemical weapons. Moreover: it contains the tools to prevent their reemergence and to verify any alleged use.”
Briefing overview
The annual briefing provided an opportunity to update delegations on the OPCW’s priorities, recent activities, and preparations for the upcoming 30th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP). Director-General Arias addressed the challenges facing chemical weapons disarmament: “The current volatile geopolitical situation places the international disarmament architecture under unprecedented pressure. The OPCW is no exception,” the Director-General stated. “We have witnessed the use of chemical weapons in recent years. It is equally concerning that the number of allegations is growing in today’s conflicts, challenging the global norm against chemical weapons.” He emphasised that “in this situation, the active involvement and support of all our States Parties is needed more than ever.”
Delegations engaged with the Secretariat in interactive discussions covering partnerships with regional organisations on capacity building, the threats and opportunities posed by new and emerging technologies, national implementation of the Convention, and the Secretariat’s efforts to advance gender parity in staffing.
Syria: a new phase following the change of government
Director-General Arias updated delegations on Syria following the December 2024 change in government. He stressed Syria’s continuing obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention to identify, declare, and irreversibly destroy remaining chemical weapons and undeclared components of the former regime’s programme. He highlighted the need for technical support and resources from States Parties to ensure compliance and safety.
Ukraine: technical assistance continues
Delegations were briefed on OPCW technical assistance to Ukraine, including three Technical Assistance Visits verifying the use of the banned chemical CS on the battlefield.
Science, technology, and capacity building
Director-General Arias outlined OPCW initiatives on emerging threats, including Artificial Intelligence. Senior officials also briefed on other priorities including capacity building initiatives and efforts to address chemical terrorism. The Secretariat plans to deliver 106 capacity-building activities in 2025, benefiting over 2,500 participants worldwide.
Universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention
The Director-General called on the four remaining States not Party to join the Convention without delay. He welcomed the presence of H.E. Samuel Luate Lominsuk, Ambassador of South Sudan to Belgium, noting that South Sudan’s ongoing engagement toward accession to the Convention is expected to make it the OPCW’s 194th State Party.
Upcoming Conference of the States Parties
The upcoming 30th Session of the Conference of the States Parties will address Syria, emerging technologies, and the appointment of the next OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Sabrina Dallafior of Switzerland.
Deputy Director-General Melono reflected on the complexity of current challenges. “The discussion on the recent use and threats of use of chemical weapons highlighted the complexity of the geopolitical situation we are facing,” she stated. “These threats serve as reminder that continued commitment and collective action are vital to upholding the global norm against chemical weapons.” Looking ahead, she emphasised: “We believe that with collaboration, and strong collective action, we can respond to the challenges ahead.”
Background
The Conference of the States Parties, composed of all States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, serves as the principal policymaking organ of the Organisation. It meets annually to review implementation of the Convention, adopt the Programme and Budget, and take decisions on key issues related to chemical weapons disarmament, non-proliferation, and the Organisation’s activities. CSP-30 will be held from 24 to 28 November 2025 at the World Forum in The Hague.
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.