On 3 November 2008, the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter visited the East West Institute in New York and was received by its President and CEO Dr John Edwin Mroz. The Director-General briefed Dr Mroz, senior officers and Members of the Board of the Institute about the salient features of the CWC and the progress that had been made in the implementation of the Convention. He also enumerated the future challenges relating to the CWC verification regime in the face of advancements in science and technology and the necessity of adjusting industry verification to contemporary needs.
The Director-General highlighted the Organisation’s achievements in disarmament, non-proliferation and the outcome of the 2nd Review Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). He also explained the importance of OPCW’s assistance and protection programmes and the cooperation among States Parties in the promotion of peaceful uses of chemistry.
Dr Mroz provided Director-General Pfirter with an overview of the mission and programmes of the Institute and conveyed his appreciation for the briefing given by Ambassador Pfirter. Dr Mroz noted the impressive achievements of the OPCW and expressed a keen interest in collaborating with the Organisation to establish programmes, which might benefit from OPCW’s example of successful multilateralism.
In the course of his official visit to New York to address the 63rd Session of the UN General Assembly, the Director-General Pfirter met with H.E. Mr Sergio Duarte, UN Secretary-General’s High Representative for Disarmament Affairs. During the meeting, they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest, especially in the context of further strengthening cooperation between the OPCW and the United Nations.
The Acting Permanent Representative of the Dominican Republic, Ambassador Enriquillo del Rosario also called on the Director-General and informed him that the Chamber of Deputies in his country has approved the ratification of the CWC. Director-General Pfirter welcomed this latest news from his country towards joining the Convention which will bring the OPCW closer to its goal of achieving the universality of the Convention.