Secretary-General Marks Twentieth Anniversary of Chemical Weapons Convention, Urging Renewed Resolve to Consign ‘Diabolical Weapons’ to Pages of History

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the commemorative ceremony for the twentieth anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, at The Hague today:

Congratulations on the twentieth anniversary of the historic Chemical Weapons Convention and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).  Both celebrate two decades of success.

Nearly all countries are party to the Convention — and the Organization has helped eliminate most of the world’s declared stockpiles.  But progress is under threat.  In the Middle East, belligerents are breaking the norm against chemical weapons.  The recent attack in Syria was a horrific reminder of the stakes.

There can be no impunity for these crimes.  I hope all States will support the OPCW’s critical fact-finding mission, as well as its Joint Investigative Mechanism with the United Nations.  For 20 years, we have been allies in this cause.  Now, let us renew our resolve to consign these diabolical weapons to the pages of history.

Thank you.