PH Assumes Seat at OPCW Executive Council for 2020-2022
Philippine Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Jaime Victor B. Ledda during his interventions at the 94th Executive Council session. (The Hague PE photo)
THE HAGUE 13 July 2020 – For the first time in 12 years, the Philippines assumed a seat at the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Philippine Permanent Representative to the OPCW Jaime Victor B. Ledda led the Philippine delegation to the 94th session of the Executive Council, which was held from 07 to 09 July 2020 at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.
In its National Statement, the Philippines expressed hopes that with its membership, it will be able to contribute substantially to the achievement of consensual decisions in making the world a safer place and ensuring that all countries are able to equitably reap the benefits of the peaceful uses of chemistry. As a developing country, with porous borders and a substantial number of its citizens working and residing in all corners of the world, the Philippines recognizes the crucial importance of cooperation on the global and regional level on matters that can only be effectively addressed through collaborative efforts.
The Executive Council consists of 41 OPCW Member States that are elected by the Conference of the States Parties with a term of two years. It is the primary focal point designated by the Chemical Weapons Convention for resolving concerns surrounding challenge inspections and investigations of alleged use, including by facilitating consultation and clarification among States Parties.
The OPCW, as an implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, has 193 Member States. OPCW Member States share the vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity. END
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/