Distinguished participants,
Dear colleagues,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 26th edition of the OPCW Associate Programme.
I am happy to see such a diverse group of Associates from many regions and States Parties, with different professional backgrounds and with female participants making up more than a third of the group.
I would like to express my appreciation to all those who contributed to this year’s Programme, including Permanent Representations, National Authorities, and chemical industry associations as well as Secretariat staff.
My gratitude also goes to our long-standing Associate programme partners, who provide valuable support: the University of Surrey, the World Customs Organization, the International Council of Chemical Associations, the International Chemical Trade Association, the European Chemical Industry Council, and the Dutch Customs Authorities.
Dear participants,
Last month, we marked the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which bans the use of chemical and biological weapons in war.
This is an opportune moment to consider how far we have come since then.
The Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997, banning completely the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons.
It also created a robust verification mechanism to oversee the implementation of the Convention – the OPCW.
The overarching purpose of the Convention and the Organisation is the complete elimination of all chemical weapons and the prevention of their re-emergence.
As such, they constitute a central pillar of the international disarmament and arms control architecture.
Today, the Convention has 193 States Parties, and 98% of the global population live under its protection.
It is the most widely adhered-to disarmament treaty.
Every year, the Secretariat conducts hundreds of industry inspections to build confidence in the adherence to the Convention, and trust among States Parties.
We also provide comprehensive support to our Member States in implementing the Convention, and in ensuring that they have the capacity to meet their obligations.
In addition, we provide assistance and protection to States Parties against the use and threat of use of chemical weapons, and strengthen their capacity to respond to chemical incidents should the worst occur.
It was in recognition of these efforts to rid the world of chemical weapons that the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
Ten years later, in July 2023, the OPCW reached a pivotal milestone when we verified the complete destruction of all chemical weapons declared by possessor States Parties.
This was a historic moment for the Organisation and for the international community.
However, our mission is far from complete.
Dear participants,
As the Organisation is now firmly established in the post-destruction phase, our focus is on preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons.
As we pursue our mission, we do so in an increasingly complex and challenging reality.
The international security environment is volatile, and regrettably recent years have seen the use and threats of use of chemical weapons.
In Ukraine, allegations of use have been made by both sides.
At the request of Ukraine, the Secretariat has delivered training and equipment as well as technical assistance, to Ukrainian personnel.
This is something any State Party has the right to request.
In the Syrian Arab Republic, after more than a decade of work, we now have an opportunity to close the chemical weapons file.
Following the fall of the Assad Government in December 2024, the Secretariat has pursued renewed engagement with the interim Syrian Authorities.
The task before us now is to determine the true extent of the Syrian chemical weapons programme, ensure that any remaining weapons and other components are identified and verifiably destroyed, secure evidence concerning use of chemical weapons, and build Syria’s capacity to implement all its obligations under the Convention.
Our work is already well under way, and we have established a good level of cooperation and dialogue.
A particular concern in Syria, but also more broadly, is the risk of chemical weapons falling into the hands of non-State actors.
Chemical terrorism is an ever-present threat.
At the same time, new technologies are being developed faster than we can evaluate their impact.
Emerging technologies such as cloud laboratories, synthetic biology, drones, and 3D printing, lower the technological barriers preventing terrorists and others from obtaining and using chemical weapons.
Artificial intelligence and quantum computing accelerate these developments and increase their impact.
All these technologies could make chemical weapons faster to produce, simpler to deploy, and easier to conceal.
However, they also hold great potential for assisting us in our mission.
The challenge is, therefore, to make best use of the opportunities, while identifying and mitigating any potential risks.
In this post-destruction phase, we will also continue to strengthen international cooperation, cultivate expertise and promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.
The Associate Programme plays a vital role in advancing these goals, and equipping us to face current and emerging challenges.
Dear participants,
The Associate Programme is the flagship initiative of the OPCW for enhancing national capacity to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.
It also offers governments, academia, and industry a unique chance to broaden their pool of expertise.
Launched in 2000, and with 632 individuals from 124 Member States having been trained, the Programme enjoys a long and successful history.
This year, Bahrain and Kuwait are joining as new in-person participants, highlighting the ongoing importance of the Programme to our Member States.
The Secretariat benefits from the Programme as well, as many former participants have become staff of the Secretariat, national focal points or members of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board.
What makes this Programme unique is its international nature and combination of theoretical learning and practical experience.
Over the course of the next nine weeks, you will deepen your knowledge of the Convention and its national implementation, and cultivate skills relevant to the modern chemical industry.
Throughout the Programme, you will be trained by leading experts from universities, industry associations, and the OPCW Technical Secretariat.
I encourage you to collaborate closely with your fellow Associates, share best practices, form valuable connections, and learn from their experiences.
You will also hear about our Alumni Network, which is a vibrant forum for former Associates to exchange insights and stay engaged with one another.
When you return home, we hope you will become advocates for the Convention and promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.
Dear participants,
It is now my honour to officially launch the 2025 OPCW Associate Programme.
This marks the beginning of your journey with us, and I am certain that your efforts over the coming weeks will be rewarding for your careers.
I wish you all a productive, inspiring and enjoyable time.
Thank you for your kind attention.