H.E. Mr Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW
THE HAGUE, Netherlands—12 December 2022—The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Ambassador Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores, at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands. The meeting took place on 8 December.
The two officials exchanged views on the current international security situation and challenges to the multilateralism. The Director-General briefed the Minister on ongoing efforts within the OPCW to achieve the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The Director-General emphasized the success in the implementation of the robust verification regime under the CWC as well as capacity building activities aimed at strengthening chemical safety and security in Member States.
The Director-General provided an update on the construction progress of the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre). The Centre will strengthen the Organisation’s capabilities to keep pace with the rapid development of science and technology for the better implementation of the Convention.
Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs remarked: “The Chemical Weapons Convention is the most successful disarmament regime in the world. It is a precious legacy that must be protected and further strengthened. Guatemala stands ready to support the OPCW Director-General, the Technical Secretariat and the Organisation as a whole to secure a world free of chemical weapons.”
The Director-General stated: “I appreciate Guatemala’s commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and its strong support in upholding the norm against chemical weapons.”
H.E. Mr Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW
Background
The Republic of Guatemala joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2003 and is currently a member of the Executive Council.
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 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.