Pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare.

This commemoration provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism. Events such as those occurring in Syria in this very moment remind us that the threat of chemical weapons has not been entirely removed. On the contrary, the continuous developments in the field of chemistry and science, and the proliferation of threats posed by both states and non-state actors urge us to reiterate and reinforce the relevance of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The act of remembrance should re-commit us all to never again allow any person to fall victim to the devastating effect of chemical weapons and to continue working to ensure reparation and accountability for all victims.