USOPCW

OPCW Building in The Hague

The mission of the U.S. Delegation to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is to lead global efforts to deter the use of chemical weapons, verifiably eliminate their existence, and enhance the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is charged with implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons.  The Convention entered into force in 1997 and has achieved near-universality, with over 190 member states.  The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its distinguished record in working towards their mission — to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve their vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.

The permanent staff of the U.S. Delegation to the OPCW is led by the permanent representative with the rank of Ambassador who represents U.S. national security interests at this international organization.  The delegation enjoys the management services shared with the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands.


Additional USOPCW Resources

May 22, 2023 – Barron’s: West Eyes Steps Against Russia Over Chemical Weapons: US
May 20, 2023 – The Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
May 12, 2023 – Statement from President Joe Biden Ahead of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention
April 2023 – Strengthening the Chemical Weapons Convention: An Interview with Joseph Manso, U.S. Ambassador to the OPCW
April 19, 2023 – King Willem-Alexander opens ChemTech Center of Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on May 12, 2023
February 15, 2023 – OPCW Director-General meets with Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security of the United States
February 7, 2023 – Joint Statement following a UN Security Council meeting on Syria Chemical Weapons
January 27, 2023 – Joint Statement on OPCW Report Finding Syrian Regime Responsible for Chemical Weapons Attack in Douma, Syria on April 7, 2018
October 5, 2022 – OPCW Director-General meets with USA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
August 21, 2022 – Ninth Anniversary of the Ghouta, Syria Chemical Weapons Attack
August 20, 2022 – Second Anniversary of the Poisoning of Aleksey Navalny
August 10, 2022 – Colorado Chemical Weapons Stockpile Site on Target to Meet Destruction Deadline
July 26, 2022 – All Stakeholders Have a Role to Play in Ridding the World of Chemical Weapons
June 21, 2022 – OPCW Director-General pays official visit to Washington, D.C.
June 17, 2022 – Senior U.S. Officials Discuss Strengthening the Chemical Weapons Convention with Director-General of the OPCW
May 26, 2022 – Priorities Regarding the New and Emerging Challenges to International Security
April 29, 2022 – Twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s Entry into Force
April 4, 2022 –  OPCW Director-General meets with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control of the United States of America
March 22, 2022 – The United States Highlights Its Commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention
March 9, 2022 – The Kremlin’s Allegations of Chemical and Biological Weapons Laboratories in Ukraine
January 20, 2022 – Fact vs. Fiction:  Russian Disinformation on Ukraine
August 20, 2021 – U.S. Imposes Additional Costs on Russia for Aleksey Navalny Poisoning
April 22, 2021 – OPCW Condemns Syria’s Repeated Use of Chemical Weapons
March 2, 2021 – U.S. Sanctions and Other Measures Imposed on Russia in Response to Russia’s Use of Chemical Weapons
January 26, 2021 – G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Arrest and Detention of Aleksey Navalny

May 15, 2023 – Statement by Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the Fifth Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to review the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
March 15, 2023 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 102nd session of the Executive Council
February 7, 2023 – Remarks by Under Secretary Bonnie Jenkins at a UN Security Council Briefing on Chemical Weapons in Syria
November 28, 2022 – Statement by Bonnie Jenkins, Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the 27th session of the Conference of the States Parties
September 29, 2022 -: Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 101st session of the Executive Council
July 5, 2022 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 100th session of the Executive Council
March 8, 2022 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 99th session of the Executive Council
November 29, 2021 – Statement by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the 26th session of the Conference of the States Parties
October 5, 2021 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 98th session of the Executive Council
July 6, 2021 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 97th session of the Executive Council
March 9, 2021 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 96th session of the Executive Council
October 6, 2020 – Statement by Ambassador Manso to the OPCW during the 95th session of the Executive Council
November 30, 2020 – Statement by Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security at the 25th session of the Conference of the States Parties