Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The 1993 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction entered into force on 29 April 1997. Today there are 188 States Parties to the Convention.

The main object and purpose of the Convention is the total prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, as well as the complete destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities. To this end the Convention established an international intergovernmental organization – the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). All States Parties to the Convention are members of the OPCW.

Russia ratified the Convention on 5 December 1997. The Convention entered into force for Russia on 3 January 1998.

The OPCW Headquarters is situated in The Hague, the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Russia, which has the largest stockpiles of chemical weapons and possesses a significant chemical industry potential, plays a prominent role in OPCW activities. Russia's main objective in the OPCW is to strengthen the Organization and to increase its role as a unique international disarmament and non-proliferation mechanism.

Russia's balanced and consistent position on issues of OPCW activities and the implementation of the CWC is aimed at stabilizing the performance of the OPCW. It is based on Russia's national interests, common sense, strict adherence to international law and a commitment to achieving a world free of chemical weapons.

Russia has fulfilled 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd stages in destruction of chemical weapons in strict compliance with the provisions of the CWC. 1^st stage (400 tones of chemical weapons) and 2 stage (8 000 tones weapons) were achieved on time prescribed by the Convention. 3^rd stage (18 000 tones of chemical weapons) was achieved in the end of November 2009 ahead of schedule.

Russia's efforts have been commended by the OPCW and by States Parties, some of which provide voluntary assistance to Russia in the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpiles.

One more major objective of the OPCW in addition to the elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles is the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime. In this regard Russia makes a significant contribution to the achievement of universal adherence to the CWC and full national implementation of the CWC by all States Parties. Russia's readiness to provide assistance in this area to any State Party is positively recognized by the OPCW.

The Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the OPCW established in The Hague plays a coordinating role, allowing Russia to uphold its interests in the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on a permanent basis.