OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr Stef Blok
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 19 July 2018 —The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, made a farewell call yesterday to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Mr Stef Blok.
Ambassador Üzümcü thanked the Foreign Minister for the Netherland’s continuing commitment and support for the OPCW as the Host Country. On a personal note, he communicated his appreciation for the hospitality accorded to him by the Dutch government and authorities during his time as Director-General.
Foreign Minister Blok thanked the Director-General for his leadership of the OPCW for eight years and expressed the Netherland’s continued support for the Organisation.
Background
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997 – with its 193 States Parties – it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 96% 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 Peace Prize.