Rogelio Pfirter
The Hague, June 2008
The recently concluded Second Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention reiterated the solemn commitment to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, and for States Parties to fulfill their obligations under the Convention in order to realise the objectives of the international community’s first comprehensive, non-discriminatory disarmament and non-proliferation treaty.
The Conference has provided the Organisation with an unequivocal mandate to pursue our shared goals with renewed vigor and to build on our past performance.
The active participation by States Parties in arriving at a consensus on the final document adopted by the Conference, demonstrates the vital role of the Convention in the maintenance of international peace and security. I would personally thank all participating States Parties for their contribution.
This final document undoubtedly will guide the activities of the Organisation for the coming years. As Director-General of the OPCW, I am convinced that the guidance provided by the Second Review Conference will enable the Technical Secretariat to carry out its tasks with a clear sense of purpose and direction.
The next five years are going to be crucial not just in the field of chemical disarmament, but in other areas as well. The OPCW needs to address the challenges of verifying the most relevant facilities to achieve the non-proliferation objectives. I am also confident that the OPCW’s abilities to promote national capacities in the field of assistance and protection and international cooperation will be further enhanced.
Without universality of the Convention, the OPCW’s ability to fully realise its objectives will remain limited. I remain optimistic that States Parties will continue collaborating closely with the Technical Secretariat to encourage those States remaining outside to join the Convention without delay.
I am also confident that with the momentum provided by the Plan of Action regarding the implementation of Article VII obligations, national implementation will be undertaken in an increasingly effective manner.
In this issue of Chemical Disarmament, we have included a selection of articles from States Parties’ representatives that provide incisive insights into the objectives pursued by them in the course of the Review Conference. Undeniably, a common theme that emerges from the articles is the expression of unwavering and unconditional support to the work of the OPCW.