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Dstl hosts 19th Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference

Homeland June 6, 2016

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has hosted an international conference supporting global efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

The destruction of chemical weapons is a high priority under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The 19th Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation (CWD) Conference, held in London on 25th-27th May, provided an opportunity for experts from all over the world to discuss their progress and co-operation in eliminating chemical weapons, and the technical challenges that remain.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office Minister Tobias Ellwood delivered a keynote address at the conference. The CWD conferences have been held annually around the world since 1998, shortly after the CWC came into force, banning chemical weapons. This year’s event was attended by the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Ambassador Ahmet .zümcü, and representatives from the US, Japan, the People’s Republic of China and several other countries.

Discussions focused on the progress made by national CWD programmes, destruction technologies and the technical challenges of carrying out destruction in unusual and demanding circumstances, such as those in Syria. Participants also looked at explosive detonation technology, chemical safety and security, recovery of chemical weapons from rivers and seas, and innovative technologies.

Ambassador .zümcü said: “A priority for the CWC is to complete the elimination of chemical weapon stockpiles. We are now moving into the final phase of this work, with over 92% of the world’s declared stockpiles now destroyed. The focus of international efforts will then move to preventing the re emergence of chemical weapons. The OPCW is already planning for this, but we still have a number of important challenges to overcome before we can reach this stage.

“I welcome the important role that the CWD Conference continues to play in supporting international efforts to destroy chemical weapons, and contributing to our shared goal of a world free of chemical weapon threats.”

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Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.