https://worldleaders.website/leader-opcw-dg.htmlThe public schedule of Sabrina Dallafior, Director-General of the OPCW, from official sources via World Leaders Daily.enThu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.opcw.org/media-centre/speeches-statements/2026/08/statement-director-general-organisation-prohibitionopcw-dg-2026-08-21-Statement by the Director-General of theFri, 21 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Statement by the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons kviray Fri 21/08/2026 - 15:16 Today marks the 13th anniversary of a devastating chemical weapons attack in the Ghouta area of Damascus in Syria. On 21 August 2013, the nerve agent sarin was used in Ghouta, resulting in extensive civilian casualties, including many children. This appalling incident stands as a stark reminder of the horrendous human impact of chemical weapons. Today we remember and honour the victims and survivors of all chemical weapons use, in Syria and beyond. We remember the past, to avoid a repeat in the future. The OPCW continues to work closely with the new Syrian government to uncover the full extent of the former Syrian authorities’ chemical weapons programme. We must ensure that chemical weapons can never again be used to cause harm to our communities. It is our collective duty to protect future generations from these abhorrent weapons. Fri 21/08/2026 - 12:00 Speech Director-Generalhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/08/france-provides-voluntary-funding-enhance-opcws-workopcw-dg-2026-08-20-France provides voluntary funding to enhThu, 20 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000France provides voluntary funding to enhance OPCW’s work H.E. Mr François Alabrune, Permanent Representative of the French Republic, and Sabrina Dallafior, OPCW Director-General. (Photo: OPCW) The Government of France has contributed EUR 1 million to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions and EUR 30,000 to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article VII. The contribution for the Trust Fund for Syria Missions will enable the OPCW to continue its independent technical work in Syria, including verification activities, deployment of expert missions, and efforts to clarify outstanding issues related to the chemical weapons programme inherited from the Assad’s government. The OPCW’s work in Syria remains central to the Organisation’s mission to uphold the global norm against chemical weapons. The contribution to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article VII will be used to organise a Workshop on Preventing Illicit Transfers of Toxic Chemicals. The workshop will strengthen the capacity of customs officers and other relevant stakeholders from Francophone OPCW Member States in Africa to enforce the Chemical Weapons Convention’s transfer regimes and safeguard the safety and security of global chemical supply chains. Permanent Representative of the French Republic, Mr François Alabrune stated: “I am particularly honored to announce this new voluntary contribution from France at a crucial time for the Organisation, whose mandate remains essential today. Given the evolution of the situation in Syria, the Secretariat needs the support of States Parties more than ever in order to have the necessary funds to maintain a permanent presence in Syria, carry out its missions, and close the Syrian chemical dossier. We are delighted to be able to make this new contribution.” “We are also pleased to be able to participate in the activities carried out by the OPCW in order to strengthen the capacities of African States Parties, in particular through the training Course on preventing illicit transfers of chemicals for Francophone Africa.” To date, France has provided over EUR 11 million voluntary contributions to strengthen the Organisation’s activities. Voluntary contributions from Member States provide resources and the flexibility needed to respond to operational requirements and ensure the Technical Secretariat can continue implementing its mandate effectively. Related links: Syria and the OPCW OPCW Capacity-Building Programmes kviray Thu 20/08/2026 - 20:14 21 August 2026 Syria Capacity Building France Off Voluntary contributionshttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/08/behind-every-mission-how-opcw-situation-centre-supports-organisationsopcw-dg-2026-08-12-Behind every mission: How the OPCW SituaWed, 12 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Behind every mission: How the OPCW Situation Centre supports the Organisation’s global mandate Behind every deployment is the OPCW Situation Centre (SitCen), a 24/7 operational hub that helps inspectors stay informed, connected and prepared wherever their work takes them. (Photo: OPCW) THE HAGUE, Netherlands—20 August 2026 — OPCW inspectors may be thousands of kilometres from Headquarters, conducting work that supports the global ban on chemical weapons. Yet no mission is ever carried out alone. Behind every deployment is the OPCW Situation Centre (SitCen), a 24/7 operational hub that helps inspectors stay informed, connected and prepared wherever their work takes them. Bringing together expertise in operational support, communications and information analysis, the SitCen monitors developments that could affect missions, provides teams with the tools and connectivity they need in the field, and coordinates support between deployed personnel and Headquarters. Its role is critical: to help identify potential risks early, maintain situational awareness and provide inspectors with the support they need to operate safely and effectively. Whether a mission takes place in a major city or a remote location, the Situation Centre helps ensure that teams are never operating in isolation. Much of this work happens behind the scenes. Yet by maintaining a constant watch on developments around the world and serving as a central coordination point for deployed teams, the SitCen plays a vital role in enabling the OPCW to carry out its mission globally. Bringing together expertise in operational support, communications and information analysis, the SitCen monitors developments that could affect OPCW missions and coordinates support between deployed personnel and Headquarters. (Photo: OPCW) Preparing long before departure The SitCen’s support begins long before inspectors board a plane. As soon as a mission is scheduled, the team starts preparing. Communications specialists ensure inspectors have the equipment and connectivity they may need in the field, while analysts assess the operating environment and monitor developments that could affect the mission. For deployments to more challenging locations, inspectors may also receive tailored briefings on local conditions and potential risks. By the time a team departs, the SitCen has already helped build a picture of the environment they will be operating in — allowing inspectors to arrive informed, prepared and ready to focus on their mission. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the SitCen team monitors developments around the world, maintains communications with deployed personnel and provides support when circumstances change. (Photo: OPCW) A constant watch Once inspectors are in the field, the SitCen never stops working. Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the team monitors developments around the world, maintains communications with deployed personnel and provides support when circumstances change. While OPCW missions are carefully planned, operating environments can change with little warning. Security incidents, civil unrest, travel disruptions or other unforeseen developments may require rapid coordination between personnel in the field and experts at headquarters. In these situations, the Situation Centre serves as a focal point for information-sharing and coordination, connecting mission teams with the information, expertise and support they may need. By maintaining a constant watch on developments and facilitating communication across the Organisation, the Centre helps the OPCW respond quickly to changing circumstances and enables inspectors to adapt when conditions on the ground evolve. In a rapidly changing world, that constant awareness can make all the difference. Adapting to a changing world Technology is changing rapidly, and so is the way the SitCen supports OPCW’s missions. The team continuously evaluates new communications and information tools, incorporating technologies that can strengthen connectivity, improve situational awareness and support personnel in the field. From advances in satellite communications to new ways of gathering and analysing information, the Situation Centre works to ensure inspectors have access to reliable tools and timely information wherever their missions take them. At the same time, analysts must navigate an increasingly complex information environment, identifying credible information quickly and turning it into actionable insights for mission teams and decision-makers. Staying ahead of these developments is essential to helping inspectors operate safely, remain connected and adapt to changing circumstances throughout their deployments. In an increasingly complex world, the support from SitCen is essential to enabling the OPCW to carry out its mission and uphold the global ban on chemical weapons. (Photo: OPCW) Supporting the OPCW’s mission From the moment a mission is planned until inspectors return home, the Situation Centre helps them stay informed, connected and prepared for changing circumstances. In an increasingly complex world, that support is essential to enabling the OPCW to carry out its mission and uphold the global ban on chemical weapons. Background As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. kviray Wed 12/08/2026 - 14:16 20 August 2026 Situation Centre Offhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/speeches-statements/2026/07/opening-ceremony-opcw-associate-programme-2026opcw-dg-2026-08-03-Opening Ceremony of the OPCW Associate PMon, 03 Aug 2026 12:00:00 +0000Opening Ceremony of the OPCW Associate Programme 2026 ppuhm Mon 03/08/2026 - 10:18 Opening remarks by the Deputy Director-General of the OPCW, Mekondjo Kaapanda-Girnus Distinguished participants, Dear colleagues, It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 27th edition of the OPCW Associate Programme. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me, as it is my first official engagement as Deputy Director-General of the OPCW. I can think of no better way to begin my tenure than by joining you here at the opening of one of the organisation’s most impactful programmes. It is encouraging and gratifying to see such a diverse group of women and men representing a wide range of nationalities, experiences and professional backgrounds. The Associate Programme is the product of strong partnerships and collaborative efforts and I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have made this year’s edition possible, particularly the Permanent Representations and National Authorities of our Member States. I also wish to thank our long-standing partners from the University of Surrey, the World Customs Organization, the International Council of Chemical Associations, the International Chemical Trade Association, the European Chemical Industry Council, and the Dutch Customs Authorities. This year, we are pleased to welcome INTERPOL and the Chemical Business Association as new partners. Dear participants, The Chemical Weapons Convention remains the world’s most successful and comprehensive disarmament treaty. With 193 States Parties, it stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved through multilateral cooperation and collective determination. Since entry into force in April 1997, the OPCW – the Secretariat and the States Parties – have been working diligently to implement the Convention. We do this through the verification of the destruction of chemical weapons; through continuous inspections of relevant chemical industry; and through building the capacity of our States Parties to fully implement and enforce the Convention. In 2013, as many of you will know, our Organisation was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. Ten years later, in 2023, the completion of the verified destruction of declared stockpiles of chemical weapons marked the realisation of one of the primary objectives of the Convention. This was a major achievement for the OPCW, for multilateral disarmament and for the international community. However, while existing declared stockpiles have been eliminated, the verification of the destruction of old and abandoned chemical weapons continues. And the Secretariat remains ready to address any newly discovered chemical weapons and facilities, as we are currently doing together with the Syrian Arab Republic. At the same time, we have been deepening our focus on the preventive aspects of our work. In recent years, the international community has witnessed instances of use of chemical weapons, including by non-state actors. We have also seen threats of use of weapons of mass destruction and allegations of chemical weapon use in several ongoing conflicts. All of this serves as a sobering reminder that we cannot afford to be complacent about the re-emergence of chemical warfare. We must remain alert to geopolitical realities as well as scientific and technological developments that give rise to new threats. Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and drones, present both opportunities and risks for the implementation of the Convention. They hold enormous potential for humanity and can strengthen global compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention by enhancing inspection capabilities, improving hazard assessment, and streamlining verification data, to name but a few examples. But AI and drone technology can also be misused and in the wrong hands, they can significantly lower the technical barriers for acquiring and using toxic chemicals for hostile purposes. This compounds the threats we are already facing in terms of the re-emergence of chemical weapons by both state and non-state actors. In evolving to respond to these new and emerging threats, the OPCW continues to invest in scientific excellence, technical expertise, and training capabilities. A good example of this work is the Centre for Chemistry and Technology (CCT). Inaugurated in May 2023, the ChemTech Centre has become a cornerstone of our efforts to ensure that the Organisation remains equipped to address both present and future challenges. During your time there, you will learn from our experts and benefit from our world-leading resources and facilities at the Centre. Distinguished participants, The Associate Programme was launched in 2000 with the purpose of enhancing the national capacity of States Parties to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention. The programme gathers experts from around the world, developing a global network dedicated to the object and purpose of the Convention and the peaceful uses of chemistry. This year, we are pleased to welcome Liberia as a new participating Member State, reflecting the continued engagement and commitment of States Parties to this unique programme. We are also delighted to welcome Thailand and Algeria as contributors to the Associate Programme’s Industry segment for the first time. Their participation reflects the continued growth of the Programme, while further strengthening its geographical diversity and representation. Over the course of the previous 26 editions, the Associate Programme has trained over 600 professionals from 126 Member States. But its impact extends far beyond these numbers. Many former Associates have gone on to become national focal points, members of the OPCW’s Scientific Advisory Board, the OPCW’s Advisory Board on Education and Outreach, and even colleagues within the Technical Secretariat. This is a reminder that the Associate Programme is not simply a training course – it is an investment in people and in the future of the Convention. The international nature of the programme and its combination of theoretical learning and practical experience, make it truly unique. Over the course of the next nine weeks, you will deepen your understanding of the Chemical Weapons Convention and its implementation, while developing practical skills relevant to today’s chemical industry. You will learn from leading experts from the Technical Secretariat, academia, industry and partner organisations. Moreover and equally important, you will learn from one another. You will also become part of the Associate Programme Alumni Network – a vibrant and growing community for former Associates committed to promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry. Distinguished participants, In closing, I encourage you to engage fully, exchange experiences and best practices, and embrace the opportunity to learn from the diverse cultures and perspectives represented in this room. When you return to your countries, I hope you will do so not only with new knowledge, skills, and connections, but also with renewed inspiration to serve as ambassadors for the Convention, and as champions of international cooperation. I wish each of you every success and a truly memorable experience here in The Hague and the OPCW. Thank you for your kind attention. Tue 28/07/2026 - 12:00 Speech Deputy Director-Generalhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/07/sabrina-dallafior-begins-term-new-director-general-opcwopcw-dg-2026-07-27-Sabrina Dallafior begins term as new DirMon, 27 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Sabrina Dallafior begins term as new Director-General of the OPCW Sabrina Dallafior today assumed office as Director-General of the OPCW, becoming its fifth Director-General and the first woman to lead the Organisation since its establishment. (Photo: OPCW) THE HAGUE, Netherlands—27 July 2026— Sabrina Dallafior today assumed office as Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), becoming the Organisation’s fifth Director-General and the first woman to lead the OPCW since its establishment. Director-General Dallafior begins her four-year term at a time when the international community continues to face evolving chemical security challenges. She said: “The Chemical Weapons Convention remains one of the world’s greatest achievements in disarmament. As Director-General, I am committed to working with all States Parties to ensure that the norm against chemical weapons remains strong, credible and universally respected.” “Together, we will continue strengthening the Organisation’s ability to respond to today’s challenges while remaining firmly anchored in the Convention’s principles and our shared goal of a world free of chemical weapons,” she added. As Director-General, Ms Dallafior will start by focusing on four areas: Upholding the global norm against chemical weapons and establishing the facts around any credible allegations of chemical weapons use; Strengthening compliance with the Convention and ensuring the Organisation has the tools it needs to meet the challenges of the future; Working closely with States Parties to implement the Convention, including those like the Syrian Arab Republic dealing with a legacy of appalling chemical weapons use; Actively promoting the work of OPCW and strengthening links with partners such as the chemical industry. Director-General Dallafior was unanimously elected by States Parties in November 2025. Before assuming office, Director-General Dallafior served as Switzerland’s Ambassador to Finland. During her 25-year diplomatic career, she has held numerous senior positions in the fields of disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation and international security, including serving as President of the Conference on Disarmament and chairing several international disarmament bodies. Follow Director-General Dallafior on X: @OPCW_DG . Background As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. Related resources: Video: Sabrina Dallafior starts her term as OPCW Director-General Press release: Sabrina Dallafior appointed as next OPCW Director-General CSP Decision on Appointment of Director-General Dallafior kviray Mon 27/07/2026 - 07:00 27 July 2026 Director-General Sabrina Dallafior Offhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/07/opcw-supports-syrian-authorities-strengthening-capacity-implementopcw-dg-2026-07-22-OPCW supports Syrian authorities in streWed, 22 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000OPCW supports Syrian authorities in strengthening capacity to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention The OPCW has trained 26 Syrian officials as part of its growing support to help Syria rebuild the institutional capacity needed to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention and fulfil its obligations as a State Party. (Photo: OPCW) THE HAGUE, Netherlands—22 July 2026—The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has trained 26 Syrian officials as part of its growing support to help Syria build the institutional capacity needed to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and fulfil its obligations as a State Party. Held from 29 June to 2 July 2026 at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague and the Organisation’s Centre for Chemistry and Technology (ChemTech Centre), the training course, as part of Organisation’s international cooperation and assistance programme, brought together representatives from the Syrian National Authority for the CWC as well as other key government institutions responsible for implementing the Convention. The training marks another step in the growing cooperation between the OPCW and the Syrian authorities. By strengthening national expertise and implementation systems, the Organisation is helping Syria build the foundations needed to declare, secure and ultimately destroy any remnants of the Assad-era chemical weapons programme. Throughout the programme, participants explored the Convention’s legal framework, declaration and destruction obligations, verification procedures, national implementation measures, and the responsibilities of Syria’s National Authority. Interactive exercises and group discussions allowed participants to apply the Convention’s requirements to realistic national scenarios and strengthen cooperation across institutions. “Syria views dealing with the legacy of the chemical weapons file as an integral part of its national recovery that requires engagement with all government institutions at different levels,” said Ambassador Mohamad Katoub, Permanent Representative of The Syrian Arab Republic to the OPCW. “The workshop brought together key Syrian officials from seven ministries, the National Commission for Transitional Justice, and the Customs and Border Control Authority, representing different levels, including policymakers and technical teams. Investing in Syrian expertise today is an investment in a future free of chemical weapons, in strong national institutions capable of upholding the Chemical Weapons Convention, ensuring the non-recurrence of these crimes, and advancing justice and redress for victims,” he highlighted. Building the foundations for the Convention’s implementation The programme was specifically developed to respond to Syria’s current needs and to establish a common foundation for future cooperation between the Syrian authorities and the OPCW. It is intended as the first step in a longer-term tailored capacity-building partnership that will support increasingly specialised assistance as Syria advances the Convention’s implementation. “The broad participation [in this workshop] reflects the Syrian Arab Republic’s firm conviction that implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention is a national responsibility requiring coordinated action among all relevant institutions and at every level,” said Mohammed Horeih, Syria’s Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry, who participated in the workshop. The training forms part of the OPCW’s broader engagement with the new Syrian authorities following the renewed cooperation established in 2025. In this framework, the Organisation is supporting the Syrian National Authority in developing coordination mechanisms and technical expertise required to implement the Convention effectively. Background Syria acceded to the CWC in 2013 under a stringent verification regime. While Syria submitted an initial declaration of its chemical weapons programme, the former Syrian government did not declare all its chemical weapons programme and attempted – unsuccessfully – to mislead the international community about the overall scope and scale of the Syrian chemical weapons programme. Furthermore, the Technical Secretariat documented and independently confirmed chemical weapons use in Syria both by the former Syrian military forces and by non-State actors, specifically ISIS/ISIL. The fall of the Assad government in December 2024 has provided new grounds for the Secretariat to continue its mandated activities towards uncovering the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme and to eliminate it in line with the CWC. In February 2025, OPCW Director-General Arias visited Syria and held separate meetings with the Syrian President and Foreign Minister. They expressed Syria’s recognition of all OPCW mandates, including the identification of perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria and reaffirmed Syria’s full commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the CWC. In March 2025, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited the OPCW and addressed the Executive Council, where he renewed Syria’s commitment to the Convention. Since the visit by Director-General Arias to Damascus in February 2025, the OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed several times to Syria, involving visits to suspected locations, sampling, interviews, and collection of documents related to Syria’s chemical weapons programme. To better coordinate efforts and to provide a foundation for future deployments and potential new mandates, the Director-General created on 1 June 2025 the Office of Special Missions (OSM) in the Technical Secretariat. The work related to the Syrian chemical weapons dossier – verification of declarations and investigation of use of toxic chemicals as weapons – is now coordinated by the OSM. The Secretariat’s deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic in May 2026 marked an important step towards resolving the Syrian chemical weapons dossier. During the deployment, the Secretariat identified previously undeclared chemical weapons-related materials, confirming that elements of the former Syrian authorities’ chemical weapons programme had been concealed from the Organisation. At the same time, the deployment demonstrated the constructive engagement of the current Syrian authorities, who are working closely with the Organisation to address the outstanding issues related to the chemical weapons programme inherited from the Assad era. These developments represent an important opportunity to establish the full scope of the former programme and advance its complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination. In July 2026, under the authority delegated by the Conference of the States Parties (CSP), the OPCW Executive Council, 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. As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. kviray Wed 22/07/2026 - 10:28 22 July 2026 Asia Capacity Building Syria Onhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/07/slovakia-provides-voluntary-funding-support-opcw-activitiesopcw-dg-2026-07-13-Slovakia provides voluntary funding to sMon, 13 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Slovakia provides voluntary funding to support OPCW activities Deputy Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the OPCW, Mr Peter Nagy, and OPCW Deputy Director-General Ambassador Odette Melono THE HAGUE, Netherlands—13 July 2026—The Government of the Slovak Republic has provided a financial contribution of EUR 20,000 to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions and the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X. Slovakia’s voluntary contribution of EUR 10,000 will support OPCW Technical Secretariat activities related to Syria. Its objectives include establishing the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, verifying all declarable elements, supporting the development and implementation of a destruction plan, and investigating allegations of chemical weapons use, including the identification of those responsible. An additional voluntary contribution of EUR 10,000 will support ongoing Assistance and Protection programmes earmarked for activities related to Ukraine. The contribution was formalised on 1 July during a ceremony attended by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the OPCW, Mr Peter Nagy, and Deputy Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Odette Melono, at the Organisation’s Headquarters in The Hague. Mr Nagy stated: “In line with the support of multilateralism, which has consistently been a cornerstone of Slovak foreign policy, Slovakia attaches great importance to the work of the OPCW in achieving the goals set out by the Chemical Weapons Convention. The present contribution, provided at the start of Slovakia’s membership in the Executive Council, showcases that the strong political commitment of Slovakia goes hand in hand with tangible support to the Organisation.” “By providing extrabudgetary resources to the OPCW Trust Fund for Syria Missions and to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X, Slovakia contributes to attaining the goal of a world free of chemical weapons, which is indispensable for international peace and security.” Deputy Director-General Melono said: “This contribution is another demonstration of Slovakia’s commitment to supporting the Technical Secretariat in carrying out its mandate. With the active support of our Member States, including Slovakia’s contribution, the Secretariat will be better positioned to support Syria in meeting its obligations under the Convention. The Secretariat will also continue to extend support to Ukraine, upon its request, in line with its mandate.” Background The Slovak Republic has been an active member of OPCW since 1997. To date, the Slovak Republic has contributed a total of more than EUR 190,000 to OPCW’s trust funds, including the Trust Fund for the Centre of Chemistry and Technology. Syria acceded to the CWC in 2013 under a stringent verification regime. While Syria submitted an initial declaration of its chemical weapons programme, the former Syrian government did not declare all its chemical weapons programme and attempted – unsuccessfully – to mislead the international community about the overall scope and scale of the Syrian chemical weapons programme. Furthermore, the Technical Secretariat documented and independently confirmed chemical weapons use in Syria both by the former Syrian military forces and by non-state actors, specifically ISIS/ISIL. The fall of the Assad government in December 2024 has provided new grounds for the Secretariat to continue its mandated activities towards uncovering the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme and to eliminate it in line with the CWC. In February 2025, OPCW Director-General Arias visited Syria and held separate meetings with the Syrian President and Foreign Minister. They expressed Syria’s recognition of all OPCW mandates, including the identification of perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria and reaffirmed Syria’s full commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the CWC. In March 2025, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited the OPCW and addressed the Executive Council, where he renewed Syria’s commitment to the Convention. Since the visit by Director-General Arias to Damascus in February 2025, the OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed several times to Syria, involving visits to suspected locations, sampling, interviews, and collection of documents related to Syria’s chemical weapons programme. To better coordinate efforts and to provide a foundation for future deployments and potential new mandates, the Director-General created on 1 June 2025 the Office of Special Missions (OSM) in the Technical Secretariat. The work related to the Syrian chemical weapons dossier – verification of declarations and investigation of use of toxic chemicals as weapons – is now coordinated by the OSM. The Secretariat’s deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic in May 2026 marked an important step towards resolving the Syrian chemical weapons dossier. During the deployment, the Secretariat identified previously undeclared chemical weapons-related materials, confirming that elements of the former Syrian authorities’ chemical weapons programme had been concealed from the Organisation. At the same time, the deployment demonstrated the constructive engagement of the current Syrian authorities, who are working closely with the Organisation to address the outstanding issues related to the chemical weapons programme inherited from the Assad era. These developments represent an important opportunity to establish the full scope of the former programme and advance its complete, verifiable and irreversible elimination. In July 2026, under the authority delegated by the Conference of the States Parties (CSP), the OPCW Executive Council, at its 112th session, adopted a 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 Technical Secretariat has been monitoring the situation on the territory of Ukraine since the start of the war in February 2022 in relation to allegations of use of toxic chemicals as weapons. In 2024 and 2025, the Technical Secretariat conducted three Technical Assistance Visits (TAVs) to Ukraine upon Ukraine’s request. The reports of all three TAVs confirmed that the samples collected by Ukraine on the battlefield contained the toxic chemical 2-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CS. The Convention explicitly prohibits the use of riot control agents as a weapon of war on the battlefield. Article X relates to the provision of assistance and protection, on request, to any Member State in the event of the use or threat of use of chemical weapons. The Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X was established in 2002 by the OPCW Technical Secretariat to meet costs associated with the implementation of requirements under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention. It is funded by voluntary contributions from Member States. As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention to that point since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. With the support of the OPCW Technical Secretariat, Syria has recently begun work on amendments to its chemical weapons declaration. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. kviray Mon 13/07/2026 - 11:18 13 July 2026 Syria Ukraine Eastern Europe Deputy Director-General Odette Melono Slovakia On Voluntary contributionshttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/07/executive-council-reinstates-rights-and-privileges-syria-under-chemicalopcw-dg-2026-07-09-Executive Council reinstates the rights Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Executive Council reinstates the rights and privileges of Syria under Chemical Weapons Convention From left to right: OPCW Deputy Director-General Odette Melono, OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias, Chairperson of the 112th Session of the Executive Council Ambassador Mohamed Basri of Morocco, Director of the Secretariat for the Policy-Making Organs Vasily Titushkin, and Legal Adviser Johan Rautenbach during the 112th Session of the OPCW Executive Council at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, on 9 July 2026. 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 Executive Council’s decision follows a significant change in circumstances since the CSP suspended certain rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic in 2021 due to the former Syrian government’s failure to declare the full scope of its chemical weapons programme and the confirmed use of chemical weapons on Syrian territory. Both constituted serious violations of Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Following the fall of the Assad regime, the new Syrian authorities committed to fulfilling Syria’s obligations under the Convention and have since taken concrete steps to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat to achieve this goal. Recognising these developments, the CSP, at its 30th session, delegated authority to the Executive Council to review Syria’s progress, based on reports by the OPCW Director-General, and to lift the measures once sufficient progress had been demonstrated. In the decision, the Executive Council welcomed the progress made by Syria in addressing outstanding issues related to its chemical weapons programme, including the amendment of its initial declaration, the preparation of facility agreements, the facilitation of verification activities by the Technical Secretariat, and initial steps towards the destruction of identified remnants, including the preparation of an agreed detailed plan for verification and preparations for destruction activities. The Executive Council also approved a detailed plan for the verification of the destruction of Category 3 chemical weapons at Al Qutayfah, and two separate facility agreements for the systematic verification of the Al Qutayfah and Homs chemical weapons storage facilities. The Executive Council encouraged Syria to maintain positive cooperation with the Technical Secretariat in working towards closing the chemical weapons dossier inherited from the former regime. Syria will continue to be required to fulfil its obligations under the Convention, while the Executive Council will continue to review progress and take decisions necessary to advance the verified elimination of the remaining chemical weapons programme inherited from the former regime. “These decisions reflect the tangible progress achieved through continued cooperation and constructive engagement between the Technical Secretariat and the Syrian Arab Republic, with the support of the wider community of States Parties,” said OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias. “The decisions provide a robust framework for advancing the next phase of verification and destruction activities, under the aegis of the Executive Council, and marks another milestone in the OPCW’s efforts to achieve the complete and verified elimination of all remaining chemical weapons associated with the former Syrian government,” he added. “The Technical Secretariat will continue to assist the Syrian authorities in fulfilling all Syria’s under the Convention,” Director-General Arias highlighted. Background Syria acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in 2013 under a stringent verification regime. While Syria submitted an initial declaration of its chemical weapons (CW) programme, the former Syrian government did not declare all its CW programme and attempted – unsuccessfully – to mislead the international community about the overall scope and scale of its chemical weapons programme. Furthermore, the Technical Secretariat documented and independently confirmed chemical weapons use in Syria both by the former Syrian military forces and by non-state actors, specifically ISIS/ISIL. The fall of the Assad government in December 2024 created an opportunity to uncover the full scope of Syria’s chemical weapons programme and to eliminate it in line with the CWC. In February 2025, the OPCW Director-General visited Syria and held separate meetings with the Syrian President and Foreign Minister. They expressed Syria’s recognition of all OPCW mandates, including the identification of perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Syria and reaffirmed Syria’s full commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the CWC. In March 2025, the Syrian Foreign Minister visited the OPCW and addressed the Executive Council, where he renewed Syria’s commitment to the Convention. Since the visit by the Director-General to Damascus in February 2025, the OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed several times to Syria, involving visits to numerous suspected locations, sampling, interviews, collection of documents related to Syria’s chemical weapons programme, and coordination. Since June 2025, the work inter alia related to the Syrian chemical weapons dossier – verification of declarations, investigation of use of toxic chemicals as weapons and identification of perpetrators of such use in the Syrian Arab Republic – is now coordinated by the OPCW Office of Special Missions. As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention to that point since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — had been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. Related links: Reinstatement of the Rights and Privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic Under the Chemical Weapons Convention Conference tasks Executive Council to assess conditions for restoring Syria’s full OPCW rights Conference of the States Parties adopts Decision to suspend certain rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic under the CWC ppuhm Thu 09/07/2026 - 13:28 9 July 2026 Syria Director-General Fernando Árias Deputy Director-General Odette Melono Executive Council Offhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2026/07/opcw-report-explores-how-chemical-forensics-can-strengthen-chemicalopcw-dg-2026-07-08-OPCW report explores how chemical forensWed, 08 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000OPCW report explores how chemical forensics can strengthen chemical weapons investigations 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. A sample can also provide important clues about how a substance was produced, whether it is linked to other samples, and what those findings may reveal about an incident. Chemical forensics provides the scientific tools that help answer these questions. Recognising the growing importance of this field, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has released a new report examining how developments in chemical forensics can strengthen the scientific basis that supports investigations and implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The report of the Scientific Advisory Board’s (SAB’s) Temporary Working Group (TWG) on Chemical Forensics was presented during an event held on the sidelines of the 112th Session of the Executive Council. It sets out recommendations to help the OPCW further develop chemical forensics capabilities in support of its investigative work. Most people are familiar with forensic science from crime scenes — the analysis of fingerprints, DNA, or trace materials to piece together what happened and who was responsible. Chemical forensics is a specialised scientific discipline that applies the same principles to chemicals and related materials. Participants engage in an interactive chemical forensics exercise during a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board’s (SAB) Temporary Working Group (TWG) on Chemical Forensics, held on the sidelines of the 112th Session of the OPCW Executive Council (EC-112) at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. Strengthening the evidentiary basis for investigations Advances in analytical chemistry, chemometrics 1 , data science, and artificial intelligence (AI) are expanding what chemical analysis can reveal. At the same time, chemical forensics relating to chemical warfare agents remains a challenging field. Investigations are rare, opportunities to validate forensic methods are limited, and much of the relevant data is sensitive or dispersed across different organisations. For chemical forensics, the strength of scientific conclusions depends not only on sophisticated analytical techniques, but also on access to high-quality reference data, validated methods, and the ability to compare findings across laboratories and investigations. Building these foundations is essential to improving the evidentiary basis for investigations under the Convention. 1 Using mathematical, statistical, and logic methods to extract information from chemical data. A participant handles mock samples during a hands-on chemical forensics exercises at a meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board’s (SAB) Temporary Working Group (TWG) on Chemical Forensics. A dedicated database for chemical forensics One of the report’s central recommendations is the development of a dedicated chemical forensics database to strengthen the evidentiary base available during investigations. While the OPCW Central Analytical Database supports the identification of chemicals for verification purposes, the report concludes that investigative applications require a dedicated platform designed specifically for chemical forensics. The proposed platform would bring together two complementary resources: a spectral databases module containing analytical reference data, and a knowledge hub containing information on chemical impurity profiles, synthetic routes, literature references, and other relevant information. Together, these resources could help investigators and laboratories compare samples, identify possible production routes, establish links between batches or incidents, and better understand the origin of chemicals. The proposed platform would become the scientific foundation for future chemical forensic investigations, enabling data with known provenance to be collected, curated, validated, and shared in ways that support increasingly sophisticated forensic analysis. The report also highlights the growing potential of AI and machine learning to support chemical forensic analysis, including classifying samples, identifying possible production pathways, and recognising patterns within complex datasets. As with all forensic methods, however, the report emphasises that these technologies depend on high-quality data, rigorous scientific validation, and expert interpretation. Participants collaborate in a hands-on chemical forensics exercise during a meeting of the SAB Temporary Working Group on Chemical Forensics at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. Supporting the Convention through science The work of the TWG on Chemical Forensics brought together expertise from across the SAB, the OPCW Technical Secretariat, the network of designated laboratories, and invited specialists in forensic science, analytical chemistry, AI, machine learning, and related disciplines. The Group also drew on lessons learned from past and ongoing investigations, existing verification activities, and operational experience from contingency operations in the Syrian Arab Republic. Taken together, the report’s recommendations are intended to strengthen the scientific foundations of chemical weapons investigations. By improving access to data, encouraging collaboration across the scientific community, validating forensic methods, and embracing new analytical approaches, the OPCW continues to build the scientific capabilities needed to support investigations and implement the CWC with confidence in an evolving scientific and security environment. Background The SAB is an OPCW subsidiary body that enables the Director-General to render specialised advice in science and technology to the Conference, Executive Council, or States Parties to the Convention. As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. ppuhm Wed 08/07/2026 - 14:15 8 July 2026 Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) Chemistry for Peace Offhttps://www.opcw.org/media-centre/news/2025/11/statement-sabrina-dallafior-30th-session-conference-states-partiesopcw-dg-2026-07-08-Statement by Sabrina Dallafior to the 30Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000Statement by Sabrina Dallafior to the 30th Session of the Conference of States-Parties Delivered by Sabrina Dallafior THE HAGUE, Netherlands–24 November 2025 Monsieur le Président, Directeur général, Excellences, Distingués délégués, Chers collègues, Tout d’abord, j’aimerais vous remercier. Je souhaite exprimer ma profonde gratitude pour la confiance que vous m’avez accordée en m’appuyant comme prochaine Directrice générale de l’OIAC. Le fait que cette nomination ait été faite par consensus me remplit de confiance et d’optimisme. Bien qu’un tel consensus puisse sembler aller de soi, il constitue aujourd’hui un signal fort en faveur du multilatéralisme. Il témoigne de la solidité de cette Organisation, de son engagement collectif et des raisons pour lesquelles l’OIAC continue de servir de modèle dans le domaine du désarmement et de la sécurité internationale. Excellencies, Throughout my campaign, I had the privilege of travelling to The Hague on many occasions and engaging with all regional groups and with many OPCW Member States. These exchanges allowed me to deepen my understanding of the Organisation, its challenges, and the concerns of its membership. It was also an honour to join you in observing the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare. This solemn commemoration not only pays tribute to those who suffered but reminds us of the importance of our collective mission: a world free of chemical weapons. With these experiences in mind, I approach my responsibilities with a strong sense of purpose, ready to assume office next summer and to lead the Organisation as it approaches its 30th anniversary. At the beginning of the selection process, we had a broad field of highly qualified candidates—an indication of the value that Member States place on the OPCW. I wish to thank my fellow candidates for the fairness and professionalism they demonstrated throughout the whole selection process. My sincere thanks also go to the Chair of the Executive Council, who guided us through the selection process with great diligence and stewardship, ultimately leading us to a consensus outcome. I am moreover grateful to my Swiss colleagues whose support throughout the campaign made this day possible. Allow me also to commend the Technical Secretariat and all its staff. I am grateful that I will be able to work at the helm of an Organisation filled with such expertise and look forward to meeting all of you. Por encima de todo, permítanme expresar mi más sincero agradecimiento al Director General Arias. Ha dirigido al Secretariado Técnico a través de tiempos desafiantes con una estabilidad y una visión extraordinaria. Los logros de los últimos años se deben en gran medida a su liderazgo. Al asumir el cargo, se comprometió plenamente con el éxito de esta Organización y a afrontar los desafíos por venir con un enfoque a la vez activo y discreto. Los últimos años han demostrado claramente que cumplió con este compromiso. Le agradezco una vez más por su dedicación. Just as Director-General Arias fulfilled his promises, I will fulfil mine. When presenting my candidacy to the Executive Council in July, I outlined my vision for the Organisation, a vision that remains unchanged. As Director-General, I will accord the highest importance to upholding the norm against chemical weapons. Ensuring its long-term sustainability requires us to investigate all credible allegations of use, establish the scientific facts, and denounce all confirmed cases. Only in this way can we prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons, whether by non-State actors, through military planning, or on the battlefield. This is non-negotiable, as it touches the very core of the Convention. If we do not continue to be successful in this endeavour, the Convention risks becoming no more than the paper on which it is written. Further, I will ensure that the Secretariat remains fully equipped to carry out its mandate and continues to address both current and emerging priorities with effectiveness. In this context, I referred to a phrase that captures my approach to leadership well, one that I reaffirm today: I will always say what I do, and I will always do what I say. Before coming to an end, I wish to underline another important dimension of our work. Over the past decade, the need for the OPCW to adapt to new realities has been reiterated frequently. This was true when Director-General Arias addressed you eight years ago, and it remains true today. The world around us is evolving quickly. Meeting the demands of such a fast-changing environment requires adaptability and openness. But even as we adapt, we must remain firmly anchored in the guiding principles of the Convention. This commitment, to evolve while staying true to our mission, will guide us through the complex challenges ahead. To address those challenges, to fulfil the OPCW’s mandate, I will rely on your continued support. Today more than ever. I look forward to working closely with all of you beginning next summer. Thank you. ppuhm Wed 08/07/2026 - 09:07 24 November 2025 Director-General Sabrina Dallafior Off