THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 9 October 2018– The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) invites media representatives to accredit themselves for the Twenty-Third Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP-23), taking place on Monday, 19 November and Tuesday, 20 November; and the Fourth Review Conference (RC-4) held between Wednesday, 22 November and Friday, 30 November at World Forum in The Hague, Netherlands.
ISSUES ON THE AGENDA
The Conference of the States Parties consists of all 193 members of the OPCW. As the principal organ of the Organisation, it has the general power to oversee the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and to act to promote the object and purpose of the Convention. The CSP oversees the implementation of the CWC, promotes the treaty’s objectives and reviews compliance with the treaty. The Conference is composed of representatives of all Member States of the OPCW, each of which has one vote. The CSP meets annually for one week in The Hague. During CSP-23, States Parties are expected to assess the implementation of the Convention, and to approve the programme and budget of the OPCW for 2019.
The Review Conference occurs once every five years. It is an opportunity for all States Parties to review the operations of the Chemical Weapons Convention and set a strategic direction for the OPCW for the next five years and beyond.
States Parties are anticipated to offer recommendations for enhancing the OPCW’s work in the areas of verification, assistance and protection, international cooperation, capacity development, and outreach.
The Review Conference will also present a vision of the Organisation’s internal reforms, aiming to ensure that the OPCW maintains its edge in a rapidly changing security environment, and can carry out the tasks States Parties confer upon it.
HIGHLIGHTS
The Conference of the States Parties and Review Conference provide an excellent opportunity for members of the media to learn more about and report on the history, legacy, achievements and challenges ahead for the Chemical Weapons Convention and the OPCW. A rich community of experts, practitioners, officials and people whose lives have been impacted by chemical weapons are present during the CSP and RC. There are also a variety of exhibits on issues related to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
MONDAY, 19 NOVEMBER
The OPCW-The Hague Award Ceremony
This year’s winner(s) will receive The OPCW-The Hague Award at 17:00 (King Willem Alexander Theatre; World Forum). The Award is a legacy of the OPCW receiving the 2013 Nobel Prize for Peace and it recognises individuals and institutions that have made an outstanding contribution towards the goal of a world permanently free of chemical weapons. The Award was established in 2014 from the monetary prize accompanying the Noble Peace Prize and is supplemented by the City of The Hague.
OPCW Director-General’s Reception
The OPCW Director-General invites all participants of CSP-23 and RC-4, including members of the media, to the opening reception held on at 18:00 (Delegates Lounge; OPCW Headquarters).
MONDAY, 26 NOVEMBER
Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare
This tribute event will be held on from 9:00 to 9:50 (Ieper Room; OPCW Headquarters). Commemoratory statements will be followed by wreath-laying at the memorial site in the OPCW garden.
The ceremony serves as a reminder that chemical weapons have yet to be consigned to the past and are still bring about enormous human suffering. The OPCW will pay homage to all victims of chemical warfare and reaffirm its commitment to uphold the global norm against these reprehensible weapons.
THOUGHOUT THE SESSIONS
Side Events
States Parties, International Organisations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and OPCW’s Technical Secretariat will organise a wide variety of side events that showcase success stories, highlight important issues, provide trainings in advanced techniques in verification, spotlight challenges due to emerging technologies and more.
Exhibitions
Throughout the Conferences, at both the World Forum and OPCW Headquarters, exhibits will be provided by a large number of NGOs and several States Parties. These exhibits can offer insights into various issues connected to CWC implementation.
ACCREDITATION DEADLINE AND DETAILS
Media representatives must submit an accreditation request to the OPCW Public Affairs Branch via the online form as soon as possible, and no later than Thursday, 15 November at 16:00 CET, as space is limited.
Note: Members of the media should NOT submit their accreditation requests to Embassies, as such requests are invalid.
Accreditation requests should include the full name of the media outlet; the names of journalists, cameramen and other technicians who wish to attend; the type of recording equipment that will be used; copies of passports or other forms of official ID, such as numbered photo IDs; and valid press cards. Volunteers not in possession of a valid press card should enclose a letter from their editor, nominating them to act as the media outlet’s representative at the CSP and RC.
ACCESS AND VENUE ARRANGEMENTS
All accredited media representatives will require a conference badge to gain access to public Conferences’ sessions and events, both at the World Forum and at OPCW Headquarters. Badges will be issued, upon presentation of a valid ID, at the registration desk from 9:00 on Monday, 19 November at the World Forum. Badges must be worn visibly at all times while on the Conference premises.
Limited space for cameras and sound equipment (breakout sound boxes) will be provided in the plenary hall of the Conferences.
Each media organisation is limited to one video or photo camera on a tripod; designated space is on a first-come, first-served basis.
In case media interest exceeds available space, journalists may be asked to pool.
Should camera arrangements be needed at other times or locations during the Conferences, media representatives are asked to contact public.affairs@opcw.org.
Please note that some States Parties may indicate that their national statement is not public. Members of the media are asked to abide by this request.
WEBCAST
Those unable to attend may follow the Conferences via live webcast on www.opcw.org.
The live webcast will include the opening of CSP-23 on Monday, 19 November, the opening of RC-4 on Wednesday, 21 November, as well as all public national statements.
Background
The Conference of the States Parties is the principal organ of the OPCW and consists of representatives from each of the Organisation’s Member States. It meets annually to assess the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and to make key decisions regarding the future work of the Organisation. The Conference of the States Parties oversees the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, promotes the treaty’s objectives and reviews compliance with the treaty. The CSP meets annually for one week in The Hague.
The Convention foresees that the States Parties should undertake a review of the implementation process every five years. These Review Conferences serve as fora for the assessment and evaluation of the CWC’s implementation and setting long-term views by providing strategic guidance to the OPCW.
Both Conferences are composed of representatives of all Member States of the OPCW, each of which has one vote.
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, 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.