News by topic
OPCW Director-General Visits Rome
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 23 May 2017 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü visited Rome from 22-23 May to attend and deliver a keynote address at a side event especially organised to mark the 20th anniversary of the OPCW at the First Scientific International Conference on CBRNe (SICC 2017). The gathering focused on safety and security issues in the chemical, biological, nuclear and explosive field and was hosted in collaboration by the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Ambassador Üzümcü highlighted the verified destruction of 95 percent of the world’s stockpile of declared chemical weapons and stated, “Destruction of the remaining stockpiles continues, and will be completed in the coming five years”. He shared with the audience the new approaches followed and new capabilities acquired by the OPCW as the focus shifts away from destroying existing chemical weapons to preventing their re-emergence.
The Director-General called for a concrete and coordinated response by States Parties, scientists, academia, industry and international organisations especially because: “Our achievements are valuable, but we must not rest on our laurels. Despite our progress and the noble aims of the Convention, the people of the world are not yet free from the scourge of chemical weapons.”
Ambassador Üzümcü acknowledged the vital support of Italy to the OPCW’s work and thanked the Italian government and its agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for being at the forefront of the mission towards a chemical-weapons-free world. In praising Italy as a committed partner, he called attention to Italy’s important financial and operational contributions in support of the OPCW’s activities in Syria and Libya.
Following his keynote address [PDF - 215 KB], the Director-General participated in a round table discussion with experts from diplomacy, academia and industry, on the achievements and challenges facing the OPCW.
During his visit, the Director-General also met with H.E. Mr Benedetto Della Vedova, Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The Director-General briefed Mr Della Vedova on the latest developments relating to Syria and Libya. He also met with Mr Gianfranco Incarnato, Deputy General Director for Political Affairs and Principal Director for Security, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation.
Background
Since the ratification of the CWC in 1997, Italy has actively participated in the OPCW’s assistance and protection activities as well as the international cooperation programmes. Notably, Italy has been providing financial and in-kind contributions to support the ongoing operations in Syria and Libya. Currently, two Italian companies from chemical industry are participating in the 2017 Associates Programme.
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 192 States Parties – it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
To date, nearly 95 per cent 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 Prize for Peace.
More Information
Media Inquiries
OPCW Public Affairs
Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR
The Hague, The Netherlands
+ 31 70 416 32 42
public.affairs@opcw.org
www.opcw.org
Follow OPCW on:
Categories: Director-General, Western Europe and Other States
For further information, please contact OPCW Public Affairs. +31 (0) 70 416 3242, public.affairs@opcw.org | ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS, Johan de Wittlaan 32, 2517 JR The Hague, The Netherlands
Follow OPCW on Facebook and Twitter.
More news
OPCW Fact-Finding Mission Team Visits Douma, Syria
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 21 April 2018 —The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited one of the sites in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic today to collect samples for...21 April 2018Full story
First Responders from Asia Enhance Chemical Emergency Response Capabilities
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 20 April 2018 — First Responders from Asia enhanced their capabilities in emergency response to chemical incidents during a regional basic training course held in Kathmandu, Nepal from 9-13 April. The...20 April 2018Full story
Experts from Asia Share Best Practices on Chemical Safety and Security Management
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 20 April 2018 – Experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Asian Member States shared their knowledge and fortified their skills in a Workshop on Needs Assessment and...20 April 2018Full story
OPCW Helps Build Capacity of National Authorities for Effective Implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 20 April 2018 — Representatives of National Authorities and other institutions improved their knowledge and capacity to work together to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), during a training...20 April 2018Full story
Media Alert: Update on the Deployment of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission to Douma, Syria
Update by the Director-General on the Deployment of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission to Douma, Syrian Arab Republic, to the Executive Council at its Fifty-Ninth Meeting. On Monday, I advised the Council on the work being undertaken...18 April 2018Full story
Media Alert: OPCW's Director-General's Update to the 59th Executive Council Meeting on Salisbury Incident
The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, updated the OPCW Executive Council about the Salisbury incident at its 59th meeting. On 4 April I updated the...18 April 2018Full story
Brunei Moves Closer to Enacting National Legislation on the Chemical Weapons Convention
THE HAGUE, Netherlands - 17 April 2018 – Brunei Darussalam made further progress in its implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by creating a plan to establish a National Authority and draft implementing...17 April 2018Full story
OPCW Director-General’s Statement on the 58th Executive Council Meeting on Syria
The OPCW Executive Council met today to discuss the allegations about the use of chemical weapons in Douma, Syrian Arab Republic on Saturday 7 April 2018. The Director-General welcomes that all Delegations that took the floor...16 April 2018Full story
OPCW Fact-Finding Mission Continues Deployment to Syria
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 14 April 2018 — The Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) will continue its deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic to establish facts around...14 April 2018Full story
OPCW Issues Report on Technical Assistance Requested by the United Kingdom
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 12 April 2018 — The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) transmitted yesterday to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) the report of the OPCW’s mission to...12 April 2018Full story