OPCW Spokesperson’s Statement on Cyber Security

4 October 2018

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 4 October 2018 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was briefed today by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands about a cyber operation targeting the OPCW that was disrupted by the Netherlands Defence Intelligence and Security Service.

The Netherlands is the OPCW’s host country and, as such, is in charge of ensuring and exercising due diligence in protecting the OPCW Headquarters. The OPCW thanks the Netherlands for its actions and will remain in contact in regards to any further developments.

The OPCW takes very seriously the security of its information systems and networks. Since early 2018, the Organisation has observed increased cyber-related activities. The Director-General has informed OPCW Member States about these activities and the OPCW Technical Secretariat has undertaken measures to mitigate them. 

Background

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997 – with its 193 States Parties – it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. 

Over 96% of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

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