PHL contributes to Centre for Chemistry and Technology
THE Philippines recently reaffirmed its strong commitment to disarmament and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction—notably, chemical weapons.
Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya presided over a ceremonial signing and exchange of letters on April 9 with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which announced the Philippine government’s contribution of $15,000 to the trust fund for a Centre for Chemistry and Technology (Chemtech Centre).
OPCW was represented by Director General Fernando Arias.
“I commend the work of OPCW and its vision to establish the…[center], which aims to strengthen the organization’s capability against new and emerging chemical weapons threats, and support capacity
building among member-states,” Malaya said.
For his part, Arias expressed his gratitude to the government of the Philippines and noted that “[its] contribution advances the establishment of the Chemtech Centre, which will be a centerpiece for research, analysis and training for all member-states.”
The center is currently earmarked to become operational at the end of 2022.
As implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW and its 193 memberstates oversee the global endeavor to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since its entry into force in 1997, the convention is the most successful disarmament treaty through elimination of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 98 percent of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the organization was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.