Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2025; November 30th.

FORUM: “Let’s Keep the memory of the victims alive.” Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare 2025. 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: 100th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol and 28th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

 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 2025. This year; The OPCW member states, on November 29th will marked the 28th 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.

Statement of the Secretary-General on the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Chemical Warfare 2025; November 30th.

Today, we pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare over the decades.

We also remember the global efforts to end the use of these abhorrent tactics.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1925 Geneva Protocol. A century ago, after witnessing the terrible impact of chemical weapons during World War I, the international community came together to ban their use in war.

The following decades saw remarkable success, including the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention — which now has nearly universal adherence.

Yet our work is not finished. The appalling use of chemical weapons has continued, and rapid developments in science and technology threaten to make their acquisition and use even easier. We cannot allow this to continue.

In the name of all victims of chemical warfare, I urge States to reaffirm their commitment to a world free of these repugnant weapons.

António Guterres; Secretary-General of the United Nations.

PLIGHT: Join the plight ''For a word “free from the threat of chemical weapons”.

PUBLICATION: The Future of the Chemical Weapons Convention. from the ARMS CONTROL  ASSOCIATION.

Research & Reports


In July 2023, the world reached a landmark achievement in the history of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs): the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) confirmed the verified and irreversible destruction of all known chemical weapons stockpiles. 26 years after the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force, it had achieved one of its major goals, becoming the first multilateral disarmament treaty to effectively eliminate an entire class of weapons.

This was not the first time that the CWC led the way in disarmament. With 193 member states, the CWC is the most universal of multilateral disarmament treaties. In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its “extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.”

The CWC was opened for signature in January 1993 and officially entered into force on 29 April 1997, after the 65th state party adhered to the convention. The treaty is thorough in its attempt to rid the world of chemical weapons: it outlaws the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and retention of chemical weapons. The goal of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to create a word “free from the threat of chemical weapons” is one step closer now that all declared stockpiles have been destroyed. This latest achievement offered a glimmer of hope in the arms control world amidst rising tensions among nuclear armed powers.

LIVESTREAM: CWC at 28.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2023, November 30th.

FORUM: “Promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism.” Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare 2023. 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.

Statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2023; November 30th.

 

 The Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare is a solemn occasion to pay tribute to those killed or injured by these horrific weapons.

This year marks ten years since the deadly chemical weapons attack in the Ghouta district of Damascus that resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including many children. Today, we remember this horrible incident and others in the Syrian Arab Republic, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

This day of remembrance must also be a day of resolve to end the use of these repugnant weapons, once and for all.

Ending this scourge means living up to the Chemical Weapons Convention’s call to prevent the use of any chemical weapons, and ending impunity for those who use them, especially against civilians.

In the name and memory of all who have suffered, let’s consign chemical weapons to history.

United Nations Secretary-General.

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 2023. This year; The OPCW member states, on November 29th have marked the 26th 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.

5th Review Conference of the State parties: RC-5 Side events & Exhibits. From 15 – 19 May 2023 at the World Forum in The Hague; 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 de

liver on all its core objectives. Watch the live webcast of RC-5.

OPCW Director-General's Opening Statement to the 5th Review Conference (RC-5)

STATEMENTS: Read the statement of U.N. Secretary-General's on the Day of Remembrance for All victims of Chemical Warfare 2023; November 30th.

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2022; November 29th.

FORUM: “Pay homage to the memory of the victims and to uphold the dignity of survivors.” Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2022. 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) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promote the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism. Follow the conversation with the hastags: #VictimsofChemicalwarfare, #30November,#ChemicalWarfareDay, #Chemicalweaponsconvention.

 

EVENTS: On November 30th, the United Nations General assembly first committee will hold a conference to mark the The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2022; This year; The OPCW member states, on 29 April 2022 have marked the 25th 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.

Seminar: The OPCW at 25 seminar focusses on achievements, future challenges and opportunities.

Twenty-five years after Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, international community remains committed to working together to permanently eliminate chemical weapons.

  
                     

STATEMENTS: U.N. Secretary-General's message on the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

25 Years of the chemical weapons convention

Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2014, 29 April.

The Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare is an annual event held on April 29 as a "tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism." It is officially recognised by the United Nations (UN) and has been celebrated since 2005.

 

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare 2014.

On this annual Day of Remembrance, we pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare.
The horrific use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic in 2013 casts a shadow over this year’s commemoration. I cannot forget the deeply shocking images
I saw. The use of chemical weapons in Syria was a deplorable offense against humanity.
The multinational effort to rid Syria of its chemical weapons programme shows what can be done when the international community comes together. Although there is still more
to do, 90 per cent of Syria’s chemical weapons have now been either removed or destroyed.
I take this opportunity to reiterate that any use of chemical weapons under any circumstances would be a grave violation of the 1925 Protocol and other relevant rules of customary international law.
I also reiterate the importance of the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention.  Six countries remain outside the Convention: Angola, Egypt, Israel, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar and South Sudan.
Until membership is universal and the last stockpiles of chemical weapons are destroyed, our work will not be done. We must not relax our vigilance. We must do our utmost
to deter any future incidents.
On this solemn day, let us renew our common pledge to eliminate all chemical weapons. I once again urge all States that have not yet done so, to adhere to the Convention without delay.  Only then can we finally put to rest the threat of chemical weapons.  

Ban Ki-moon

 Forum on the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare - 29 April

День памяти всех жертв применения химического оружия - 29 апреля 

Послание по случаю Дня памяти всех жертв применения химического оружия, 29 апреля 2014 года.

В этот ежегодно отмечаемый День памяти мы чтим память жертв применения химического оружия.
На проводимую в этом году по этому поводу церемонию мрачной тенью ложится вселяющее чувство ужаса применение химического оружия в Сирийской Арабской Республике в 2013 году. Я не могу забыть развернувшиеся перед моими глазами глубоко шокирующую картину. Применение химического оружия в Сирии стало заслуживающим осуждения преступлением против человечности.
Многонациональные усилия, направленные на то, чтобы ликвидировать программу химического оружия Сирии, свидетельствуют о том, чего можно достичь, когда международное сообщество действует сообща. Хотя по-прежнему еще многое предстоит сделать, на данный момент 90 процентов единиц сирийского химического оружия либо вывезено, либо уничтожено.
Хочу воспользоваться этой возможностью для того, чтобы вновь заявить о том, что любое применение химического оружия при любых обстоятельствах является серьезным нарушением Протокола 1925 года и других соответствующих норм международного обычного права.
Я также подтверждаю важность Конвенции по химическому оружию 1997 года. Участниками этой Конвенции по-прежнему не являются следующие шесть стран: Ангола, Египет, Израиль, Корейская Народно-Демократическая Республика, Мьянма и Южный Судан.
Наша работа не будет завершена до тех пор, пока членство не станет универсальным и не будут уничтожены последние запасы химического оружия. Мы не должны ослаблять нашу бдительность. Мы должны сделать все от нас зависящее для предотвращения каких-либо инцидентов в будущем.
Давайте в этот торжественный день подтвердим нашу общую приверженность делу ликвидации всего химического оружия. Я вновь настоятельно призываю все государства, которые еще не сделали этого, безотлагательно присоединиться к Конвенции. Только тогда мы можем окончательно устранить угрозу, которую несет в себе химическое оружие.

化学战受害者纪念日- 4月29日

2014年4月29日

在此年复一年的纪念日，我们悼念化学战的受害者。
　　2013年，阿拉伯叙利亚共和国境内发生使用化学武器的可怕事件，使今年的纪念活动蒙上阴影。我无法忘记所见的那些触目惊心的景象。在叙利亚境内使用化学武器是应予谴责的危害人类罪行。
　　消除叙利亚化学武器的多国努力表明，一旦国际社会协同一致，就可以有所作为。虽然还有更多的事要做，但叙利亚的化学武器如今已被运走或销毁了90%。
　　我要借此机会重申，在任何情况下使用化学武器都将是严重违反1925年议定书和习惯国际法其他有关规则的行为。
　　我还重申1997年《化学武器公约》的重要意义。如今仍有6个国家没有加入：安哥拉、埃及、以色列、朝鲜民主主义人民共和国、缅甸和南苏丹。
　　在普遍加入和销毁化学武器的最后库存之前，我们的工作不会完结。我们决不能放松警惕。我们必须尽最大的努力，遏制今后的任何事件。
　　在此庄严的日子里，让我们再次共同承诺消除所有的化学武器。我再次敦促尚未加入《公约》的国家毫不拖延地加入进来。只有到那时，我们才可以最终平息化学武器的威胁

Mensaje del Secretario General con ocasión del Día de Conmemoración de todas las Víctimas de la Guerra Química,29 de abril de 2014.

Con motivo de este Día de Conmemoración anual, rendimos homenaje a las víctimas de la guerra química.
El horripilante uso de armas químicas en la República Árabe Siria en 2013 ensombrece la conmemoración de este año. No puedo olvidar las imágenes sumamente impactantes que vi. El uso de armas químicas en Siria fue una deplorable ofensa contra la humanidad.
La iniciativa multinacional para eliminar el programa de armas químicas de Siria demuestra lo que puede hacerse cuando la comunidad internacional aúna esfuerzos. Aunque todavía queda más por hacer, el 90% de las armas químicas de Siria ya han sido retiradas o destruidas.
Aprovecho esta oportunidad para reiterar que toda utilización de armas químicas en cualesquiera circunstancias sería una grave violación del Protocolo de 1925 y otras normas pertinentes del derecho internacional consuetudinario.
También reitero la importancia de la Convención sobre las Armas Químicas de 1997. Seis países siguen al margen de la Convención: Angola, Egipto, Israel, Myanmar, la República Popular Democrática de Corea y Sudán del Sur.
Hasta que su composición sea universal y se hayan destruido las últimas existencias de armas químicas, nuestra labor no habrá terminado. No debemos bajar la guardia. Debemos hacer todo lo posible para impedir cualquier otro incidente en el futuro.
En este solemne día, renovemos nuestro compromiso de eliminar todas las armas químicas. Una vez más, insto a todos los Estados que aún no lo hayan hecho a que se adhieran a la Convención sin demora. Solo entonces podremos finalmente dejar atrás la amenaza de las armas químicas.

Message du Secrétaire général des Nations Unis lors de la Journée du souvenir dédiée à toutes les victimes de la guerre chimique 2014. 

En cette journée mondiale du souvenir, nous rendons hommage aux victimes de guerre chimique.
L’emploi terrifiant d’armes chimiques en République arabe syrienne en 2013 jette une ombre sur la commémoration de cette année. Je ne peux oublier les images profondément révoltantes que j’ai vues. L’utilisation d’armes chimiques en Syrie est une offense déplorable faite à l’humanité.
Les initiatives prises au niveau multinational pour démanteler le programme syrien d’armes chimiques montrent ce qui peut être accompli lorsque la communauté internationale agit de concert. Il reste certes encore beaucoup à faire, mais 90 % des armes chimiques syriennes ont été soit enlevées soit détruites.
Je saisis ce moment pour redire que tout emploi d’armes chimiques, dans quelque circonstance que ce soit, constitue une violation grave du Protocole de 1925 et d’autres règles du droit international coutumier.
Je réaffirme également l’importance de la Convention de 1997 sur les armes chimiques. Six pays n’y sont pas encore parties, à savoir l’Angola, l’Égypte, Israël, le Myanmar, la République populaire démocratique de Corée et le Soudan du Sud.
Tant que la Convention ne sera pas universelle et que les derniers stocks d’armes chimiques n’auront pas été détruits, notre tâche restera inachevée. Ne relâchons surtout pas notre vigilance. Nous devons tout faire pour éviter de futurs incidents.
En cette journée solennelle, renouvelons notre promesse commune d’éliminer toutes les armes chimiques. Je demande de nouveau à tous les États qui ne l’ont pas encore fait d’adhérer à la Convention sans attendre. C’est alors seulement que nous pourrons enfin lever définitivement la menace des armes chimiques.

رسالة بمناسبة إحياء ذكرى ضحايا الحروب الكيميائيةالثلاثاء 29 نيسان/أبريل 2014
بمناسبة هذه الذكرى السنوية، نحيي ذكرى ضحايا الحروب الكيميائية. إن الاستخدام المروّع للأسلحة الكيميائية في الجمهورية العربية السورية في عام 2013 يلقي بظلال قاتمة على ذكرى هذا العام. وأنا لا أستطيع أن أنسى الصور التي شاهدتها. فاستخدام الأسلحة الكيميائية في الجمهورية العربية السورية كان جريمة ضد الإنسانية تبعث على الاستياء. وتبيِّن الجهود المتعددة الأطراف المبذولة لتخليص سوريا من برنامجها الخاص بالأسلحة الكيميائية ما يمكن إنجازه عندما تتكاثف جهود المجتمع الدولي. ومع أنه لا يزال هناك الكثير مما ينبغي القيام به، فإن 90 في المائة من أسلحة سوريا الكيميائية إما أُزيلت الآن وإما دُمِّرت. وأغتنم هذه الفرصة لأؤكد من جديد أن أي استخدام للأسلحة الكيميائية تحت أي ظرف من الظروف هو انتهاك جسيم لبروتوكول عام 1925 ولغيره من قواعد القانون الدولي العرفي ذات الصلة بالموضوع. وأود أيضا أن أؤكد من جديد أهمية اتفاقية الأسلحة الكيميائية لعام 1997. إلاّ أن ستة بلدان ما زالت لم تنضم إلى الاتفاقية، وهي: إسرائيل، وأنغولا، وجمهورية كوريا الشعبية الديمقراطية، وجنوب السودان، ومصر، وميانمار. وإن عملنا لن يكون مكتملاً ما لم تصبح العضوية في الاتفاقية عالمية وتُدمّر آخر مخزونات الأسلحة الكيميائية. ويجب علينا أن نظل في حالة احتراس لا فتور فيها. إذ من واجبنا أن نبذل قصارى جهدنا لمنع وقوع أي حوادث في المستقبل. وبمناسبة هذا اليوم المهيب، لنجدد العهد المشترك للتخلص من جميع الأسلحة الكيميائية. وفي هذا الصدد، أحث مرة أخرى جميع الدول التي لم تنضم بعد إلى الاتفاقية أن تنضم إليها دون إبطاء. فبذلك فقط نكون قادرين على التخلص من الخطر الذي تشكِّله الأسلحة الكيميائية.