The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Fernando Arias, paid an official visit to France on 3 and 4 April 2024.
During his visit, Director-General Arias held a bilateral meeting with the Director General of Political and Security Affairs at France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Frédéric Mondoloni.
The two high-level officials discussed the impact of the current international security environment on the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture and the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Director-General Arias gave an overview of the OPCW's Organisational priorities following the end of destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles achieved last year. He emphasised that preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons, strengthening chemical safety and security in Member States, and achieving universality of the Convention remain top priorities for the Organisation.
The Director-General underlined that rapid progress in science and technology presents both challenges and opportunities for the effective implementation of the Convention, and that the Organisation is closely monitoring developments in this field.
"Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an example of an evolving technology where opportunities and threats co-exist. We are actively engaging with science and technology experts to better understand the impact AI could have on the Convention's implementation and ensure an integrated and holistic approach in our response to these new challenges," he said.
"The OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which was inaugurated in May last year by the King of the Netherlands, has a key role to play in this endeavour. It significantly enhances the Organisation's capabilities to deliver on all its mandates," the Director-General underlined.
"I would like to thank France for its strong support to the OPCW's work and its financial contributions to various activities carried out by the Organisation to ensure that Member States have the right tools and knowledge to effectively respond to the threat of chemical weapons use. In particular, France has made significant contributions to the OPCW international cooperation programme, the construction of the Centre for Chemistry and Technology as well as the programmes delivered at the Centre after its operationalisation," said the Director-General.
"I would like to reaffirm France's support to the OPCW. This unwavering support is also addressed to the Director-General of the Organisation, His Excellency Mr Arias, for the work he has carried out on behalf of the OPCW," said Mr Mondoloni.
During his visit, Director-General Arias also gave a keynote speech at an event marking the 25th anniversary of DGA Maîtrise NRBC becoming accredited as an OPCW designated laboratory.
"France is a key partner for the OPCW and a staunch supporter of the Convention. DGA Maîtrise NRBC has been integral to these efforts from the beginning," said the Director-General in his opening remarks. "Partnerships such as this emphasise the commitment of States Parties to the purpose of the Convention. They are essential for realising our joint ambition of a world free of chemical weapons."
The Director-General further highlighted DGA Maîtrise NRBC's key contributions to various areas of the Organisation's work, including the OPCW biotoxins proficiency test system programme and the OPCW Central Analytical Database.
During the visit, H.E. Mr. François Alabrune, Ambassador Permanent Representative of France to the OPCW was also present. The Director-General also held bilateral meetings with high officials from Secretary-General at the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security, as well as senior officials from the Cabinet of the President, and of the Ministry of Armed Forces.
Background
France has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997. France is a member of the OPCW Executive Council, the governing body of the Organisation.
To date, France has made voluntary contributions totalling €10,016,907 to nine OPCW trust funds, including the Trust Fund for Implementation of Article X, the Trust Fund for a Centre for Chemistry and Technology, and the Trust Fund for Syria Missions.
DGA Maîtrise NRBC become an OPCW designated laboratory in 1998, when it was accredited for the analysis of environmental samples. In 2016, DGA Maîtrise NRBC was also accredited for the analysis of biomedical samples.
The OPCW designated laboratories are a linchpin of the Organisation's verification regime and its capacity to investigate allegations of the use of chemical weapons.
OPCW designated laboratories must be able to perform off-site analysis of chemical samples collected by OPCW inspectors from chemical production facilities, storage depots and other installations, or from the site of an alleged use of chemical weapons.
These laboratories offer the necessary assurance to our States Parties that chemical analyses needed to make determinations or to clarify issues occurring during OPCW deployments are carried out competently, impartially, and with unambiguous results.
