OPCW-The Hague Award
Past recipients

The OPCW-The Hague Award celebrates significant achievements toward a world free of chemical weapons. 

Learn about past award recipients below and watch each past award ceremony.

2025 OPCW-The Hague Award winners announced

Winners of the 2025 OPCW-The Hague Award

Major General (Ret.) Ichiro Akiyama 

Dr Ichiro Akiyama of Japan has made a significant and enduring contribution to the mission of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) throughout his career. With a PhD in Chemistry, he participated in the CWC negotiation process at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva from 1982 to 1992 and contributed his expertise to its final outcome. In 1995, Dr Akiyama played a crucial leadership role in response to the Tokyo subway sarin attack, the first large scale chemical terrorism incident. Dr Akiyama served as the first OPCW Director of the Inspectorate Division from 1997 to 2002, and again from 2004 to 2009, during which he was instrumental in operationalising the CWC’s verification regime, establishing its technical operational framework, and standardising procedures for inspections.  

Ambassador Kenneth Ward 

Ambassador Kenneth Ward of the United States of America has been devoted to advancing chemical weapons disarmament and non-proliferation in a range of important and senior roles over 30 years. As the Permanent Representative of the United States to the OPCW from 2016 to 2020, he played a leading role in decision-making processes related to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and advocated for accountability in situations of chemical weapons use. Ambassador Ward was also instrumental in mobilising resources to strengthen the OPCW’s investigative and capacity building efforts. 

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Torben Mikkelsen 

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Toben Mikkelsen of Denmark played an important role in the multinational maritime task force that removed chemical agents from Syria in 2013 and 2014, and from Libya in 2016, under the auspices of the United Nations-OPCW Joint Mission. These complex removal operations stand as remarkable examples of multilateral cooperation for international peace and security. The outstanding operational leadership by Rear Admiral Mikkelsen was crucial to their success. Under his command, nearly 1,000 tons of chemical agents in 181 containers were retrieved and transported out of Syria, and 23 containers of chemical agents were securely transported out of Libya for destruction. 

Winners of the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award

Indian Chemical Council (ICC)

ICC is a chemical industry body recognised for its role in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the Convention, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India. Through initiatives like the CWC Helpdesks, ICC has increased industry compliance and facilitated efficient e-filing for chemical declarations. Additionally, ICC’s ‘Nicer Globe’ initiative has had a substantial impact on chemical transportation safety in India, offering real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities. ICC has conducted other activities to promote chemical safety and security through its ‘Responsible Care’ programme and the introduction of the Security Code of RC.

Algeria’s National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG)

NICC/NG is a forensic science institute focused on advancing crime-fighting capabilities by integrating scientific methods into judicial and criminal processes. In 2024, NICC/NG joined OPCW’s global Designated Laboratories network, bolstering chemical security across the continent and contributing to international non-proliferation efforts.

Winners of the 2023 OPCW-The Hague Award

Mr Hubert Foy, Director of the African Center for Science and International Security, is an advocate for chemical security and national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention in Africa. He has developed training courses for various stakeholders, including under-represented communities, to raise awareness of issues related to implementation the Convention.

Spiez Laboratory has made significant contributions to advancing arms control and international security through science, research, and analysis. The laboratory has been recognised for its high analytical proficiency as an OPCW designated laboratory and has been a key contributor to the OPCW Central Analytical Database — the Organisation’s reference library of chemical data. In addition, the laboratory provides trainings for inspectors and first responders around the world to enhance chemical safety and security. 

Dr Syeda Sultana Razia, Professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, is an experienced educator in the peaceful uses of chemistry, particularly in chemical safety and security. She has boosted awareness of chemical hazards across Asia among students and other stakeholders. She has also advised the Government of Bangladesh on chemical safety standards in Bangladesh and served on the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board.

Winners of the 2022 OPCW-The Hague Award

Special Risks Brigade of the Federal Police of Argentina (BRE) are specialists in CBRN threat rapid response and evidence gathering. BRE also provides training programmes that have benefited over 800 regional experts.  

Population Protection Institute (PPI), Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic has extensive expertise in providing trainings in the field of preparedness in the case of chemical incidents and emergencies around the globe. To date, the Institute has trained more than 600 experts on a wide range of CBRNe topics. 

Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition (CWCC) is an independent, international civil society network with more than 200 members from diverse organisations around the world to support the aims of the CWC and to supplement the efforts of OPCW Member States in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention  

Winners of the 2019 OPCW-The Hague Award

Dr Robert Mikulak is an eminent expert on chemical and biological weapons arms control, Dr Mikulak has made substantial contributions to chemical disarmament through his extensive involvement in the negotiations of the CWC, and his work as the US representative to the OPCW Preparatory Committee. 

Mr Cheng Tang was involved in the text negotiations of the CWC in Geneva from 1990 to 1992 as well as the removal and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons. Mr Tang has actively worked for the goal of a world free of chemical weapons 

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is an international federation of chemists that was established in 1919. Consisting of members, associates, and affiliate institutions from around the world, the organisation played an instrumental role in the development and promotion of The Hague Ethical Guidelines on Chemistry. 

Winners of the 2017 OPCW-The Hague Award

The African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) is a structure of the African Union Commission, ACSRT contributes to and strengthens the capacity of the African Union to prevent and to CBRNe terrorism in Africa. 

International Master Courses in Protection Against CBRNe Events at the University of Rome Tor Vergata the master courses from the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention contribute to the promotion of the peaceful uses of chemistry among a new generation of CBRNe experts. 

Winners of the 2015 OPCW-The Hague Award

Professor Mahdi Balali-Mood is an eminent expert in the field of medical toxicology. He has dedicated his career to caring and advocating for the victims of chemical weapons. 

Professor Alastair Hay is a leading expert in the field of occupational health and toxicology. His extensive knowledge of the toxic properties of chemical warfare agents has proved invaluable in supporting the work of the OPCW and its core objectives. 

Winners of the 2014 OPCW-The Hague Award

Dr Robert Mathews has made significant contributions throughout his career to the development, establishment, implementation and promotion of the Chemical Weapons Convention; and furthermore, to the work of the OPCW from its inception. 

VERIFIN is an institute at the University of Helsinki. Since its establishment in 1995, VERIFIN has significantly contributed to chemical disarmament through the development analytical chemistry based tools for verification of the CWC. 

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