OPCW Director General Meets with US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — June 5, 2024 — The Director General of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, met with the Principal Undersecretary of the Office of Arms Control, Deterrence and Stability (ADS) to the US Department of State, Mr. Paul Dean, on May 30, 2024 at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

During their meeting, the Director-General and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary discussed various challenges related to the implementation of the Convention in the current international security context. The Director General praised the role of the OPCW Center for Chemistry and Technology in strengthening international efforts to counter threats and prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons. Additionally, he highlighted both the risks and opportunities presented by rapid scientific and technological advancements, including artificial intelligence.

The Principal Deputy Secretary said: “The United States continues to emphasize its steadfast commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Together, we will continue to prioritize transparency, accountability, and safeguarding global security against the threat of chemical weapons.

The Principal Assistant Secretary also informed the Director General of the United States' intention to join forces with Lebanon in an innovative capacity development program facilitated by the OPCW. The Mentoring Partnership Program aims to build the capacity of the Lebanese National Authority through the expertise and support of the US National Authority, with the OPCW Technical Secretariat playing a central matchmaking role.

The program's objectives include improving Lebanon's legal framework to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention and developing a medium-term plan for chemical safety and security. It will also focus on creating a robust chemical incident response strategy and establishing comprehensive regulations for the chemical sector.

The Director-General congratulated the United States on the upcoming partnership, saying: “Collaborative efforts such as this share critical knowledge among national authorities that contribute to our common mission. I express my sincere gratitude to the United States for its continued engagement in international cooperation projects that aim to combat the threat of chemical weapons and advance the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention across borders .

Background

The United States of America has been an active member of the OPCW since the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997. The United States is a member of the Executive Council, the executive body of the OPCW, responsible for promoting the effective implementation of and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention as well as overseeing the activities of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization.

As the implementing agency of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 member states, oversees global efforts to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since entering into force in 1997, it has been the most successful disarmament treaty, eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.

In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 – totaling 72,304 tonnes of chemical agents – have been irreversibly destroyed under the of the OPCW's strict verification regime.

For its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons, the OPCW was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

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