The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, which entered into force on 29 April 1997. The OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons.
OPCW's Aim
The ultimate aim of the OPCW is to achieve a world permanently free of chemical weapons and to contribute to international security and stability, general and complete disarmament, and global economic development.
Their Goal
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:
Programme Aims
Credible and Transparent Regime
To ensure a credible and transparent regime for verifying the destruction of chemical weapons and to prevent their re-emergence, while protecting legitimate national security and proprietary interests.
Protection and Assistance
To provide protection and assistance against chemical weapons.
International Cooperation
To encourage international cooperation in peaceful uses of chemistry.
Universal Membership
To bring about universal membership of the OPCW by facilitating international cooperation and national capacity building.
Their Approach
Two fundamental principles underline their approach. The first is the centrality of the Convention’s multilateral character. The second is the equal application of the provisions of the Convention to all States Parties.
They do this with integrity, in an efficient, competent and cost-effective manner, and in a healthy working environment. Their work is guided and supported by the internal vision of their Organisation.
