Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—09 July 2026—Acting under the authority delegated by the Conference of the States Parties (CSP), the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today, at its 112th session, adopted a draft decision to reinstate the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic at the OPCW that were suspended since 2021. The decision was co-sponsored by 67 States Parties from different regional groups and adopted by consensus.

The OPCW hosts an event on chemical forensics and the Chemical Weapons Convention on the sidelines of the 112th Session of the Executive Council. THE HAGUE, Netherlands—8 July 2026—When an alleged chemical weapons incident is investigated, scientific evidence plays a critical role in helping establish what happened. Identifying the chemical involved is only one part of the picture.

The Council is the executive organ of the Organisation and consists of 41 members who are elected by the Conference to serve two-year terms. The Convention requires that, in order to ensure the Council’s effectiveness, it is constituted with due regard to the principle of equitable geographical distribution, the importance of the chemical industry, and political and security interests. Documents related to Sessions of the Executive Council

Distinguished Chairperson, Distinguished Members and Observers of the Advisory Board, Dear Colleagues, It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Twenty-First Session of the Advisory Board on Education and Outreach (ABEO). At the outset, I would like to thank you for your continued commitment to the work of the Organisation. Your generosity in sharing your time and knowledge is greatly appreciated.

Delivered by Ambassador Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General THE HAGUE, Netherlands–28 June 2026 Distinguished attendees, It is an honour for me to address you once again this year on such a special day. Thirty-nine years have passed since the people of Sardasht suffered an atrocity by chemical weapons. It was the 28 June 1987, and over 100 people were killed, and thousands more profoundly affected. For those who survived the attack, the passage of time has not diminished its devastating impact.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—24 June 2026—The Government of the Republic of Finland has voluntarily contributed EUR 50,000 to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions. The voluntary contribution will support Syria-related missions and activities carried out by the OPCW Technical Secretariat in line with its mandate.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—16 June 2026— As advances in science and technology increasingly shape global security, scientists are playing a growing role in helping policymakers understand emerging risks and opportunities.

Dear Fellows, Good morning, and welcome to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the OPCW. We are delighted that you are visiting us, once again, as part of your programme this year. I hope that the Fellowship Programme inspires you to sustain disarmament and non-proliferation as a lasting focus of your careers. Today’s volatile global security situation is placing the international disarmament architecture under unprecedented pressure.

Drones, among other new technologies, are reshaping chemical security. Experts from various organisations gathered for a workshop to explore how this technology could impact the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 10 June 2026 — Emerging technologies are reshaping the chemical security landscape, and uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, commonly referred to as drones, are among the most prominent examples.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—10 June 2026— Artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies are quickly redefining the chemical industry, changing how chemicals are developed, manufactured, monitored and safeguarded. As this technology advances, chemical professionals are facing a pressing challenge: how to harness AI’s potential while preparing for the new safety and security risks it brings for the chemical sector.