Chemical Weapons - PR to the Conference of Disarmament, Geneva
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) bans the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons by States Parties. The goal is to achieve a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace progress, and prosperity. The Treaty became effective in 1997 and experiences almost universal support as 193 are States Parties to the CWC.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body of the CWC. The OPCW is part of the global system to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and as such one of the cornerstones of Dutch foreign policy. Since the OPCW is based in The Hague, the Permanent Representation to the OPCW promotes the interests of the Netherlands within the OPCW and its Conference of States Parties. In addition, the Netherlands enjoys a special position as host country to the organisation.