THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 10 March 2020 – The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) hosted a visit of the Ambassadors’ Spouses Association at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague on 5 March 2020.
The Ambassadors’ Spouses Association provides support and networking opportunities to the spouses of Ambassadors based in The Hague.
The seventeen participating spouses were first welcomed by OPCW Director-General H.E. Mr Fernando Arias and Deputy Director-General H.E. Odette Melono. They then received a series of presentations by OPCW Directors on their respective Divisions, followed by a question and answer session, during which the Organisation’s activities were discussed.
The spouses also received a tour of the building, which included the OPCW’s Nobel Peace Prize and a visit of the OPCW’s Situation Centre (SitCen). The SitCen provides critical 24-hour mission support and ensures secure and reliable communications.
Background
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Members, 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 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.