Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare

   29 October 2025 -  Opening Statement at the Twenty Seventh Annual Meeting of the Confidentiality Commission , OPCW Deputy Director-General. A stringent regime governs the handling of confidential information at the OPCW. The OPCW Policy on Confidentiality is essential to the work of the Organisation because of the intrusive verification measures that are aimed at promoting confidence in compliance with the Convention while respecting States Parties’ legitimate concerns about sensitive information. The Policy addresses the need for disclosure of appropriate information to the OPCW to demonstrate compliance with the Convention while ensuring confidential information provided by States Parties is appropriately protected. In case of breaches or alleged breaches of confidentiality, procedures are in place to determine its cause and impacts. The Confidentiality Annex to the Convention establishes, as a subsidiary organ of the Conference, a Commission for the settlement...

   14 October 2025   Welcoming remarks at the 54th Annual Meeting of the Representatives of Internal Audit Services (RIAS) & 17th Annual Meeting of the UN-RIAS Deputy Director-General  UN-RIAS is an affiliation of Chief Audit Executives of United Nations System organisations. It is a framework and a forum to promote the development and exchange of UN internal audit and oversight related practices and experience. UN-RIAS is a part of RIAS, the Representatives of Internal Audit Services of United Nations organisations and multilateral financial institutions and other associated intergovernmental organisations. The HLCM and UN-RIAS work together in a partnership arrangement to promote the exchange of experience and knowledge on areas of common interest and the coherent, efficient and cost-effective oversight and management of the organisations of the UN System. The partnership arrangement recognises UN-RIAS as the audit and oversight forum that brings together...

  13 October 2025 -  Speech at the Sixteenth Asser Institute Training Programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction ; OPCW Deputy Director-General. This programme is specifically tailored for diplomats, providing a unique opportunity for embassy staff in The Hague to deepen their understanding of contemporary disarmament and non-proliferation issues while expanding their professional networks. The Global threat posed by nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons has become increasingly pressing. International treaties, such as the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) , are vital components in the global effort to mitigate these dangers. A key partner in this training programme is the OPCW, the body responsible for implementing the CWC. Through the OPCW’s efforts and the commitment of its 193 State Parties, nearly 98% of the world’s population is now protected by the CWC, and 99% ...

  28 July 2025 -   Opening Ceremony of the Associate Programme 2025 Deputy Director-General. Contributing to the development of chemistry and chemical engineering in Member States, with special emphasis on chemical safety Scientists, chemical engineers, and technological specialists from Member States whose economies are developing or in transition are invited to take part in a capacity-building project to enhance their knowledge of the Chemical Weapons Convention and to develop the skills necessary to operate in a modern chemistry environment. The course prepares participants for technical assignments within the Technical Secretariat and positions related to the implementation of the Convention, in their home countries. The programme is conducted over nine weeks, each year, and is comprised of practical and theoretical modules. Objectives To facilitate national implementation of the Convention related to the chemical industry. To offer training in areas related to chemi...

22 July 2025 -  Statement at the 59th Session of the Advisory Body on Administrative and Financial Matters (ABAF) . OPCW Deputy Director-General 

30 June 2025 - Opening Remarks at the at the Eleventh Meeting of the . ; OPCW Director-General The Africa Programme responds to the particular needs of African Member States in their endeavour to comprehensively and effectively implement the Convention. The Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) — more commonly known as the Africa Programme — is a special Initiative launched in 2007 by the Technical Secretariat to streamline the CWC implementation in Africa and to address Africa’s needs in relation to the Convention, notably chemical safety, security and development. Objectives Advance the national implementation of the CWC in Africa Strengthen controls over cross-border transfers of toxic chemicals Enhance protection and response capabilities against chemical incidents/attacks Advance chemical safety and security culture, standards, and practices in Africa Strengthen the capabilities of African chemical laboratories Promote knowledge ...

  The Geneva Protocol was signed in June 17th of the year 1925, Its a treaty that helped pave the way for the CWC. International bodies like the UN and OPCW are commemorating the centenary in 2025 to reflect on the Protocol's legacy and reaffirm the commitment to a world free of these weapons. These events note the progress in eliminating declared chemical weapons while also acknowledging the ongoing threat and need for continued vigilance.