Upon the completion of the Fifth Review Conference of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the United States reiterates its unwavering commitment to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. We commend the constructive efforts of a wide range of States Parties and their commitment to seeking a consensual outcome. We regret that the Russian Federation repeatedly obstructed these efforts to negotiate in good faith throughout the process and prevented consensus on a final outcome document despite the majority of the issues receiving broad support. More than 70 delegations, including the United States, joined a statement pledging to advance a positive agenda for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
We express our deepest appreciation for the leadership of Ambassador Lauri Kuusing for the yearlong preparation of the Fifth Review Conference, as well as the work of the Chair of the Committee of the Whole, Ambassador José Antonio Zabalgoitia, and the Chair of the Review Conference, Ambassador Henk Cor van der Kwast. The United States remains determined to advance the work of the OPCW and contribute to the capacity of States Parties to counter the threat of chemical weapons while holding those accountable, including Syria and Russia, for their possession and use of chemical weapons.
