Sabrina Dallafior today assumed office as Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), becoming the Organisation's fifth Director-General and the first woman to lead the OPCW since its establishment.
Director-General Dallafior begins her four-year term at a time when the international community continues to face evolving chemical security challenges. She said: "The Chemical Weapons Convention remains one of the world's greatest achievements in disarmament. As Director-General, I am committed to working with all States Parties to ensure that the norm against chemical weapons remains strong, credible and universally respected."
"Together, we will continue strengthening the Organisation's ability to respond to today's challenges while remaining firmly anchored in the Convention's principles and our shared goal of a world free of chemical weapons," she added.
As Director-General, Ms Dallafior will start by focusing on four areas:
Upholding the global norm against chemical weapons and establishing the facts around any credible allegations of chemical weapons use;
Strengthening compliance with the Convention and ensuring the Organisation has the tools it needs to meet the challenges of the future;
Working closely with States Parties to implement the Convention, including those like the Syrian Arab Republic dealing with a legacy of appalling chemical weapons use;
Actively promoting the work of OPCW and strengthening links with partners such as the chemical industry.
Director-General Dallafior was unanimously elected by States Parties in November 2025. Before assuming office, Director-General Dallafior served as Switzerland's Ambassador to Finland. During her 25-year diplomatic career, she has held numerous senior positions in the fields of disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation and international security, including serving as President of the Conference on Disarmament and chairing several international disarmament bodies.
