THE HAGUE, Netherlands —6 December 2019 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of the Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, met with the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable Mr Dennis Moses, during a visit yesterday to OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
The Director-General and the Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs discussed progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and the Organisation’s activities to address current challenges in achieving the total and permanent elimination of chemical weapons, while promoting scientific advances for peaceful purposes. As Trinidad and Tobago is a Member State of CARICOM, regional cooperation was also discussed.
The Minister noted: “This visit illustrates our country’s high level of commitment to the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and reinforces the national position that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, anytime, by anyone, under any circumstances is unacceptable.”
The Director-General stated: “Trinidad and Tobago has my sincere gratitude for its commitment to the goals of the Convention and for its support of the Organisation. We look forward to our continued cooperation to ensure chemical weapons are eliminated and that chemicals are used for exclusively peaceful purposes.”
Background
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997.
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 97% 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.
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