OPCW works with chemical industry to ban weapons

Mr. Rogelio Pfirter, Director General of OPCW, will be the keynote speaker of the HCF 2009 closing luncheon. Mr. Pfirter’s speech will discuss the Chemical Weapons Convention and cooperation with the chemical industry.

Pfirter says the Chemical Weapons Convention aims to eliminate durably and under strict international verification one of the most inhumane types of weapons ever produced – chemical weapons. This implies not only destroying existing stockpiles, but also preventing new weapons from being manufactured.

Through a highly sophisticated verification mechanism, implemented by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and its 186 Member States, the Convention’s goal is to ensure that chemistry is exclusively used for purposes that benefit humanity. In this endeavour, cooperation by the chemical industry is an indispensable factor and a distinctive characteristic of the work of the OPCW, not only to prevent misuses of chemistry, but also to promote the legitimate aspirations for cooperation and economic development.

Pfirter says the OPCW is fully committed to maintaining and developing the mutually beneficial relationship with the chemical sector, which engenders a spirit of cooperation for promoting progress towards a more peaceful and secure world.