PURPOSE: The States parties of the OPCW decided that the Day of Remembrance for all victims of chemical warfare will be held on 30 November each year; The memorial Day to remember all the Victims of Chemical Warfare. The United Nations Secretary-General have outlined a vision of disarmament actions that help set our world on a path towards sustainable peace and security for all. One of the actions of the Agenda is to build new leadership and unity in restoring respect for the global norm against chemical weapons.

FORUM: “Let’s Keep the memory of the victims alive.” Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare 2024. The global community must speak with one voice and reaffirm commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention, end impunity, and live up to the Pact for the Future’s pledge to a world free of these weapons. Last year, we achieved an important milestone: the destruction of the last chemical weapon from the stockpiles declared by countries that are part of the Chemical Weapons Convention. But the last decade has seen the reemergence of these weapons. Combined with rapid developments in science and technology, the threat grows greater still. This commemoration will provide 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) which consist to eliminate the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promote the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #VictimsofChemicalwarfare, #30November,#ChemicalWarfareDay, #Chemicalweaponsconvention.

EVENTS: On November 30th, a homage to the memory of the victims and to uphold the dignity of survivors will be held by the United Nations General assembly first committee to commemorate the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2024. This year; The OPCW member states, on November 29th will marked the 27th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention. With 193 States Parties, the Convention today embodies the international norm against the use of chemical weapons and remains the most successful disarmament treaty in the world.

On Wednesday, November 27th, the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare will be observed with a minute of silence. The Conference will reaffirm its commitment to the norm against chemical weapons in all circumstances.     

On November 25th, 2024; The OPCW Member States meet for annual Conference to review progress in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, address challenges and mark the path forward. The Twenty-Ninth Session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CSP-29) opened in The Hague, Netherlands. The session is live streamed on the OPCW website. The Key discussion topics during the Conference will be on :   

• the status of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC);     

• addressing the threat of chemical weapons use;  

• developments in science and technology, including emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, which impact the CWC’s implementation;  

• engaging with the chemical industry and the scientific community to advance the implementation of the Convention;  

• promoting peaceful applications of chemistry and ensuring safe production and secure use of chemicals;   

• the OPCW Programme for Africa;  

• promoting universality of the CWC;  

• strengthening institutional governance at the OPCW.  

The Conference is chaired by the Permanent Representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the OPCW, H.E. Mr Almir Šahović, who assumed his duties from the outgoing Chairperson, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the OPCW, H.E. Mr Suljuk Mustansar Tarar. 

 On Monday, November 25th, an official ceremony for the OPCW-The Hague Award was held. This year the award honours two recipients:   

• About the Algeria’s National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG): The NICC/NG is a forensic science institute focused on advancing crime-fighting capabilities by integrating scientific methods into judicial and criminal processes. In 2024, NICC/NG joined OPCW’s global Designated Laboratories network, bolstering chemical security across the continent and contributing to international non-proliferation efforts. NICC/NG became the first laboratory in Africa to achieve OPCW designated laboratory status since 2006. The Institute has played a vital role in promoting regional capacity-building by supporting key initiatives such as the “CHEMEX Africa” in October 2023. 

• About the Indian Chemical Council (ICC): The ICC is a chemical industry body recognised for its role in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the Convention, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India. Through initiatives like the CWC Helpdesks, ICC has increased industry compliance and facilitated efficient e-filing for chemical declarations. Additionally, ICC’s ‘Nicer Globe’ initiative has had a substantial impact on chemical transportation safety in India, offering real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities. ICC has conducted other activities to promote chemical safety and security through its ‘Responsible Care’ programme and the introduction of the Security Code of RC. Their focus on enhancing industry security and advancing national implementation of the Convention in one of the world’s largest chemical sectors demonstrates an outstanding commitment to responsible industrial stewardship. 

The Conference of the States Parties convenes in a special session called the Review Conference (RC) every five years to examine the CWC’s operation. The RC evaluates the Convention’s implementation status and sets out priorities for the OPCW for the upcoming years. The Topics focus on the role of the OPCW and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in strengthening international peace and security, including preventing chemical weapons re-emergence; on how to Maintain readiness to respond to use or threats of use of chemical weapons; the importance of Science and technology developments relevant to the Convention’s implementation; The Promotion of peaceful applications of chemistry, their safe use and production, and the importance of Promoting universality of the CWC. The Review conference provides strategic direction for the Organisation and ensures that it has adequate resources to deliver on all its core objectives. Watch the live webcast of RC-5.

A number of side events focusing on topics related to the CWC are taking place in the margins of the Conference.

STATEMENTS: “Today’s international environment is especially challenging and characterised by escalating tensions and constant pressure on the global security architecture. More than ever, the responsibility of the Conference of the States Parties to promote and defend the Chemical Weapons Convention, is brought to the fore,” said OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, at the opening of the Conference.   

Read the statement of U.N. Secretary-General's on the Day of Remembrance for All victims of Chemical Warfare 2024; November 30th.