Philippines Affirms Commitment with Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Contributes to Peaceful use of Chemistry Initiatives
THE HAGUE 07 March 2025 — The Philippines’ strong commitment to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) through the country’s proactive engagement and support to the organization’s priorities, programs and activities was affirmed by Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya during the 108th Session of the Executive Council held at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague on 04 March 2025.
In the national statement delivered during the meeting, Ambassador Malaya highlighted the initiatives spearheaded by the Philippines vis-a-vis its engagements with the OPCW, notably the hosting in Manila in June 2025 of a training program for first responders from around the Asia-Pacific region in coordination with the OPCW Assistance and Protection Branch; a voluntary contributions of the Philippines for the activities of the OPCW Scientific Advisory Board, which is headed by Prof. Imee Su Martinez of the University of the Philippines as Chairperson, as well as the recent approval of the Chemical Weapons Prohibitions Bill by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill is due for signature by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“The Philippines attaches great importance to the object and purpose of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the role of the OPCW and its Member States,” Ambassador Malaya said. “It is crucial to harness the peaceful uses of chemistry for a safer world,” he added.
Ambassador Malaya also noted the recent dramatic developments in Syria and welcomed the renewed full engagements with the OPCW of the Syrian interim government. He expressed hope that the process of reconciliation among its people will continue in order to bring the full benefits of peace and development to all sectors of the Syrian society.
Ambassador Malaya is the Permanent Representative to the OPCW and also the Coordinator for the Asia Group Member States.
The 108th Session of the Executive Council was chaired by Ambassador Andrés Teran Parral of Ecuador.
The Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (CWC) entered into force in 1997 and has 193 Member States to date. The OPCW Executive Council, on the other hand, is composed of 41 elected Member States, and holds three regular sessions annually. The Executive Council is responsible for promoting the effective implementation of the Convention and the compliance of each Member State with its provisions.
The Philippine Government through its Embassy in The Hague has proactively supported the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention through the OPCW, as a crucial element in fostering global peace and security, promoting the peaceful uses of chemistry, and ensuring the welfare of Filipinos in the country and overseas.
The copy of the Philippine National Statement can be accessed at https://bit.ly/4h5fmOk. END
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph, https://twitter.com/PHinTheHague or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.