Chemical weapons – 25th anniversary of the entry in force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (29 Apr. 2022)
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the entry in force of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), France reaffirms its resolute commitment to a total ban on chemical weapons.
The Chemical Weapons Convention is one of the pillars of the international disarmament framework. It has been signed by 193 nations and has led the destruction of 99% of declared chemical weapon stocks.
France reiterates its full support for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). We reaffirm our confidence in the organization’s director-general and all the members of its secretariat who work independently and with professionalism on a daily basis to oppose the proliferation of chemical weapons and the reemergence of their use.
On April 14, France announced a new voluntary contribution to the OPCW amounting to €2.2 million. Of that amount, €1 million would be earmarked for the organization’s activities in Syria, €500,000 for measures to assist and protect Ukraine amid the current Russian military aggression, and €700,000 to support the organization in various areas such as training, capacity-building in Africa and international cooperation through projects promoting the role of women in the peaceful uses of chemistry.
The use of chemical weapons anywhere, ever, by anyone and in any circumstances is unacceptable, and those who use them must be punished. It is in this spirit that in 2018, France launched an international partnership to end impunity for those who use chemical weapons.