Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. Almost all states who are members of the N are also members of OPCW. They are working together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.
OPCW’s Goal
The OPCW Member States share the collective goal of preventing chemistry from ever again being used for warfare, thereby strengthening international security. To this end, the Convention contains four key provisions:
- destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW;
- monitoring chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging;
- providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats; and
- fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry.
OPCWÂ Press Release on Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Southern Idlib, Syria
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 4 April 2017
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is seriously concerned about the alleged chemical weapons attack reported by the media this morning in the Khan Shaykhun area of southern Idlib in the Syrian Arab Republic. The OPCW’s Fact Finding Mission (FFM) is in the process of gathering and analysing information from all available sources. The FFM will report its findings to the OPCW’s Executive Council and States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The OPCW strongly condemns the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances.
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