OPCW Director-General H.E. Mr Ahmet Üzümcü.
The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, delivered a keynote speech to the CTBT: Science and Technology 2015 Conference (SnT2015) on 22 June 2015 upon the invitation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).
In his remarks, Director-General Üzümcü underlined the pivotal role that science and technology play in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, particularly in its verification regime. He further addressed some of the common challenges facing both the OPCW and CTBTO, and called for further cooperation between the two organisations.
“The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention stand among the most tangible, most scientifically informed human undertakings towards ensuring a world free of weapons of mass destruction,” said the Director-General in his remarks.
Both organisations have cooperated and exchanged best practices on several issues in recent years, and have jointly participated in field exercises related to verification of the Comprehensive-Test-Ban-Treaty and Chemical Weapons Convention. The Director-General most recently met with Dr Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the CTBTO, in February 2015 at OPCW Headquarters.
During his stay in Austria, Director-General Üzümcü met Ms Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss issues of common concern to both organisations.
Read the Keynote Speech at CTBT: Science and Technology 2015 Conference (SnT2015) [69 KB].