The Government of the Czech Republic has contributed CZK 300,000 (€12,500) to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
The contribution will be used to support ongoing assistance and protection projects for African Member States under the Programme to Strengthen Cooperation with Africa on the Chemical Weapons Convention (the Africa Programme). The Africa Programme focuses on the particular needs of African Member States, including the promotion of peaceful uses of chemistry for a developed, safe, and secure Africa.
The voluntary contribution was formalised at signing ceremony on 31 May 2023 by the Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the OPCW, H.E. Ms Kateřina Sequensová, and OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Fernando Arias, at the Organisation's headquarters in The Hague.
Ambassador Sequensová stated: "The Czech Republic is a long-term supporter of the OPCW work, especially of the assistance and protection activities, and this voluntary contribution demonstrates the steadfast commitment to the implementation of Article X of the Convention. In addition to the in-kind contribution provided by the Czech Population Protection Institute, I am pleased that this contribution earmarked to the Africa Programme will further enhance the preparedness and response capacities of African states in the event of a chemical incident or its threat. The Czech Republic remains determined to continue its support to the OPCW capacity-building efforts."
OPCW Director-General Ambassador Arias underscored: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the Czech Republic's steadfast commitment to assistance and protection activities. This contribution will assist African Member States to protect their populations from chemical incidents and emergencies."
Background
The Czech Republic has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997.
Under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Member States "have the right to participate in, the fullest possible exchange of equipment, material and scientific and technological information concerning means of protection against chemical weapons."
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
