H .E. Ms Esther Rabasa Grau, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the OPCW, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW (photo from OPCW archive)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands—30 August 2024—The Principality of Andorra has made a voluntary contribution of EUR 10,000 to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to support critical activities aimed at assisting victims of chemical weapons and enhancing the capacity of States Parties to respond to chemical incidents.
The contribution was formalised on 29 August 2024 in an agreement signed between the Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the OPCW H.E. Esther Rabasa Grau, and the OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias.
The contribution will be divided equally between two key OPCW Trust Funds:
Trust Fund for the International Support Network for Victims of Chemical Weapons – EUR 5,000. Andorra’s contribution is specifically earmarked for initiatives that integrate a gender perspective, ensuring that assistance is provided equitably and addresses the unique needs of all affected individuals.
Trust Fund for Training – EUR 5,000. This funding will be directed towards activities that enhance the preparedness of States Parties to respond to and manage incidents involving chemical weapons and industrial toxic substances. The training programs supported by this contribution will strengthening the capacities of national response teams and ensuring the safety and security of populations.
Ambassador Esther Rabasa Grau, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the OPCW stated, “Andorra wishes to reaffirm its support for the work carried out by the OPCW and the Technical Secretariat in favour of a world without chemical weapons and without the threat of their use.”
H .E. Ms Esther Rabasa Grau, Permanent Representative of the Principality of Andorra to the OPCW, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director-General of the OPCW (photo from OPCW archive)
Director-General Arias stated, “We are deeply grateful to Andorra for once again providing contributions to these important initiatives. Supporting victims of chemical weapons and bolstering the preparedness of States Parties to respond to chemical incidents are critical aspects of the OPCW’s mission. Andorra’s commitment to integrating a gender perspective into these efforts ensures that our support is inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of affected individuals. This contribution is a testament to Andorra’s dedication to upholding the principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention.”
The OPCW’s ongoing work relies on the support of its Member States. Director-General Arias encouraged all Member States to consider providing voluntary contributions to support OPCW initiatives.
Background
Andorra has been an active member of the OPCW since 2003.
To date, Andorra has contributed a total of EUR 91,966 to the four OPCW trust funds: the Trust Fund for the International Support Network for Victims of Chemical Weapons, the Trust Fund for Training, the Trust Fund for a Centre for Chemistry and Technology, and the Trust Fund for Syria.
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.
In 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.