Logo of the International Workshop Series on Global Security
On 15 June 2007, the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Rogelio Pfirter, addressed the 24th International Workshop on Global Security that was held in Paris, France.
In his address to the international conference, Director-General Pfirter underlined the importance of the Chemical Weapons Convention in the current strategic context and noted that the full and effective implementation of the Convention will lead to the achievement of the core mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) — to bring about a chemical weapons free world.
Director-General Pfirter provided the participants with general overview of the CWC’s global implementation by the 182 OPCW Member States in their common effort to make world safe from the scourge of chemical weapons. He also drew attention to the wide range of the activities undertaken by the OPCW which include on-site verification, training for first responders and chemists, workshops in implementation support, and fostering international cooperation.
In his remarks, the Director-General drew attention to the concrete legal framework of the CWC in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of chemical weapons, stressing that States Parties\’ fulfilment of their obligations under the Convention enhances national, regional and international security.
Noting that the CWC\’s universal application is one of the OPCW\’s core objectives, Director-General Pfirter explained that the continued engagement of all States Parties is needed, to encourage the thirteen States not Party to join the CWC. He noted that this step will yield both security and developmental benefits, while establishing and maintaining avenues of dialogue on security and co-operation issues.
In conclusion, Director-General Pfirter noted that the pledge undertaken by States Parties to the CWC is a crucial element in the field of global and complete disarmament, ensuring a safer world for future generations.
The 24th International Workshop on Global Security was sponsored by Ministry of Defence of France, European Aeronautics Defence and Space Company, Microsoft, Northrop Grumman, the Center for Strategic Decision Research and the United States Department of Defense. Additional sponsorship was provided by Alenia Aeronautica Spa, Lockheed Martin, MBDA Missile Systems, MITRE Corporation and Thales.
PR63 / 2007