OPCW - Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
OPCW - Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
06/10/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/10/2022 09:12
OPCW Director-General meets with Chairperson of the Parliament of Ukraine
Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk, Chairperson of the Parliament of Ukraine, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General
THE HAGUE, Netherlands-10 June 2022-The Chairperson of the Parliament of Ukraine, Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk, met today with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The officials discussed the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Discussions also included the threat of chemical weapons use and assistance and protection support from the OPCW Technical Secretariat as well as from States Parties to the CWC. The Director-General also briefed the Chairperson on the advancement of the construction of the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which will enhance the Organisation's capability to provide capacity building for Member States.
Chairperson Stefanchuk stated: "Implementation of the Convention is one of the most important areas of our state's policy in the field of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This issue is under the constant control of the President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Government. Ukraine undertakes not to use any chemicals as means of warfare."
Director-General Arias remarked: "Ukraine is a strong supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention and an active member of the OPCW. I appreciate its commitment to upholding the norm against chemical weapons. The OPCW remains ready to provide technical assistance to Ukraine, especially in the field of chemical safety and security, in line with the Convention together with the financial support received from many States Parties."
Background
Ukraine has been an active member of the OPCW since 1998.
Since the beginning of the current conflict, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine within the scope of the Chemical Weapons Convention. In particular, the Secretariat is monitoring the status of relevant chemical industrial facilities and any threats of use of toxic chemicals as weapons in the country. In this regard, the Secretariat is in close contact with States Parties and relevant intergovernmental organisations such as the United Nations.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.