Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW, meets with H.E. Mr Basat Öztürk, Director General for International Security Affairs (NATO, OSCE, Arms Control and Disarmament) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye
THE HAGUE, Netherlands—18 December 2023—The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, had a meeting with Türkiye’s Director General for International Security Affairs (NATO, OSCE, Arms Control and Disarmament) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr Basat Öztürk.
During the meeting, Ambassador Arias and Ambassador Öztürk discussed a spectrum of issues related to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention amidst the prevailing international security climate. Director-General Arias emphasised the importance of the OPCW remaining at the forefront of scientific and technological developments to address the threat of chemical weapons use and highlighted the role of the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (the ChemTech Centre) in this endeavour.
Director-General Arias stated: “The Chemical Weapons Convention has played a crucial role in eliminating declared stockpiles of chemical weapons and fostering a global norm against their possession and use. As we confront new and evolving chemical threats in a challenging political environment, we must continue to strengthen our collective efforts to uphold this critical norm.”
“The ChemTech Centre is instrumental in ensuring that the Organisation keeps pace with fast advancements in science and technology and in strengthening expertise in Member States to enhance chemical safety and security,” he added.
“Türkiye’s support to the objectives of the Convention remains unwavering. The OPCW plays a significant role in the field of disarmament and international security, and it is the central actor in the chemical non-proliferation regime,” said Ambassador Öztürk.
Ambassador Öztürk underscored: “In this challenging international security environment, we must strive to preserve the smooth and effective implementation of the Convention.”
Background
Türkiye has been an active member of the OPCW since 1997.
The OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre), which was inaugurated on 12 May 2023, enhances the OPCW’s ability to conduct chemical research and analysis. This significantly reinforces the Organisation’s verification regime and inspection capabilities of chemical industries around the world. In addition, an increasing number of capacity building activities are being delivered through the Centre, including chemical emergency response trainings and analytical skills development courses for experts from Member States.
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.
On 7 July 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime.
For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.