Prince’s Government reaffirms support for work of Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Signature accords OIAC © DR

H.E. Mr Frédéric Labarrère, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Principality of Monaco to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), and H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General, signed two agreements on voluntary contributions in The Hague (Netherlands) on 2 December.

In doing so, the Principality of Monaco renewed its commitment to compliance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The Prince’s Government’s contributions will be used specifically to support, for the first time, training for chemistry researchers in Africa, with a particular focus on biotoxin analysis. They will also continue to support the verification missions led by OPCW experts in the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Principality of Monaco was a founding member of the OPCW in 1997, when the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force. The OPCW’s mandate is to implement the provisions of this Convention, which calls for the destruction of these weapons through a transparent and trusted verification regime. It also seeks to prevent their return and encourages international cooperation in the peaceful use of chemistry.

In 2013, the organisation was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its substantial efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.