Newly qualified inspectors after graduation ceremony
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 18 December 2017 — Seven recently recruited inspectors are now fully qualified to conduct inspection activities on behalf of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), after receiving their diplomas at a graduation ceremony held in OPCW’s HQ Hague today.
OPCW’s Director of the Inspectorate Division, Mr Marcelo Kos expressed that, “the new inspectors are now ready to help implement the Organisation’s mission of a world permanently free of chemical weapons.”
He added that, “this group has shown extraordinary commitment throughout the training process and is ready to tackle the demanding tasks including identification of chemical warfare agents, work in toxic areas and industry verification.”
Chemical production technologists and analytical chemist specialists recruited in October 2017 completed the 10-week intensive training course that comprised training on verification activities in the chemical industry, theory and practical exercises, and mock inspections.
The Netherlands, Serbia and the United States provided support to the training program through expert trainers and other facilitation activities.
Background
The Inspectorate Division of OPCW focuses on the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention by deploying inspection teams to States Parties to the Convention. The Inspectorate monitors the destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles, inspects chemical industry facilities, and provides assistance to protect against chemical weapons.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global endeavour to permanently and verifiably eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997 – and with its 192 States Parties – it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over ninety-six per cent of all chemical weapon stockpiles declared by possessor States have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Prize for Peace.