Press releases

  • Trans-loading of Syrian chemicals to be undertaken at port of Gioia Tuaro in Italy
    20 Mar 2014 - 16 January 2014 - The OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü, confirmed today that the Italian Government has agreed to allow the port of Gioia Tuaro for priority chemicals brought from Syria by cargo vessels to be trans-loaded onto a U.S. ship, the MV Cape Ray. The port is located on the Mediterranean coast of southern Italy and is specialised in transhipment activities.
  • Syria submits initial declaration and general plan for destruction of its chemical weapons programme
    20 Mar 2014 - 27 October 2013 - On 23 October 2013, the Syrian Arab Republic submitted to the OPCW its formal initial declaration covering its chemical weapons programme. Syria’s submission is in line with the deadline set by the OPCW Executive Council in its decision of 27 September 2013 requiring a complete initial declaration by 27 October 2014.
  • Syria chemical weapons team reports encouraging progress
    20 Mar 2014 - 3 October 2013 - Press release [bulletin] from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations.
  • OPCW receives tenders from 14 private firms to destroy Syrian commodity chemicals and effluents
    20 Mar 2014 - 20 January 2014 - A total of 14 private firms have submitted tenders to destroy 500 metric tonnes of Syria’s commodity chemicals, as well as effluent from the neutralisation of its Priority chemicals, at commercial facilities outside of the Syrian Arab Republic.
  • UN Secretary-General, OPCW Chief appoint Sigrid Kaag Special Coordinator
    20 Mar 2014 - 16 October 2013 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced today the appointment of Sigrid Kaag of the Netherlands as Special Coordinator of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)-United Nations Joint Mission to eliminate the chemical weapons programme of the Syrian Arab Republic. The appointment has been made in close consultations with OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü.
  • Syria chemical weapons destruction begins
    20 Mar 2014 - 6 October 2013 - Press release [bulletin] by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations.
  • OPCW Director-General holds official meetings with Norwegian Ministers and Parliamentarians
    20 Mar 2014 - 11 December 2013 - OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü this morning met in Oslo with the Norwegian Prime Minister, Ms Erna Solberg, and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Borge Brende. He updated them on the work of the OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria and discussed options for Norway’s involvement in efforts to eliminate the Syrian chemicals weapons programme.
  • Syria’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention enters into force
    20 Mar 2014 - 14 October 2013 - Today, on 14 October 2013, the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force for the Syrian Arab Republic, making it the 190th State Party to the treaty. Syria deposited its instrument of accession with the United Nations Secretary-General on 14 September.
  • Syria submits additional information to the OPCW
    20 Mar 2014 - 4 October 2013 - Press release [bulletin] from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations.
  • Nobel Peace Prize 2013 received by OPCW Director-General
    20 Mar 2014 - 10 December 2013 - Ahmet Üzümcü commends practical, verifiable results of chemical disarmament. - Says that partnerships with science, industry and civil society are key. - Urges states outside the Chemical Weapons Convention to join. - Announces that Prize money will be used to fund annual OPCW awards. Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü this afternoon accepted the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

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