Pictured: OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias and EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Stephan Klement

The EU and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held their second high-level meeting in Brussels on November 11, 2024. The goal of the meeting was to strengthen their cooperation and identify ways to work together to further implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

The high-level consultations between the EU Special Envoy for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Stephan Klement, and OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias held at EEAS Headquarters in Brussels on 11 November 2024 underlined the close EU-OPCW partnership.

CWC key role

Since entering into force in 1997, the international CWC agreement with 193 parties has played a key role in the effort to eliminate chemical weapons.

In 2023, the world passed a major milestone when the USA completed the destruction of its last remaining stockpiles of chemical weapons.

Achieved under the supervision of the OPCW, this marked the verified destruction of 100% of the world’s declared chemical weapons’ stocks.

Unfortunately, however, the re-emergence of these heinous weapons in the hands of state and non-state actors is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

Toxic chemicals

When in use, the main types of chemical weapons cause choking, blistering, blood poisoning and paralysis. Toxic chemicals such as chlorine, sulphur mustard, hydrogen cyanide and sarin are prohibited under the CWC, as are their precursor chemicals which can be used to manufacture these weapons.

Munitions and armaments specifically designed to weaponise toxic chemicals are also prohibited. Tear gas can be used legitimately by police in domestic law enforcement but is prohibited from use as a weapon of war.

Since 2004, the EU has provided more than €48 million in contributions to the work of the OPCW, including support for

• building the Organisation’s capacities
• destruction of Syrian chemical weapons’ stocks
• establishment of a new OPCW laboratory
• provision of satellite imagery for OPCW investigations

The EU will continue to provide concrete support through a cooperation agreement concluded in February 2024 as well as work for other disarmament and non-proliferation objectives.

Follow the links to learn more about the 

• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

• EU's policies on Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control