THE HAGUE, Netherlands—12 December 2019 —The Government of Ireland has contributed €30,000 to a special Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund to support the project to upgrade the current OPCW Laboratory and Equipment Store. This project will result in the construction of a new facility, the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology (“ChemTech Centre”).
The contribution was formalised during a ceremony at the OPCW Headquarters between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Kevin Kelly.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Ireland for this major contribution to the new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology that will further build the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons.”
Ambassador Kelly stated: “Ireland is a strong and consistent supporter of the OPCW in its mission to rid the world of chemical weapons and to prevent their re-emergence. Ireland is pleased to make this contribution as a sign of our commitment to this mission.”
He further remarked: “We recognise the critical importance of the work that the new ChemTech Centre will be able to carry out in enabling the OPCW to address advances in science and technology, as well as to further advance the agenda of the OPCW in capacity building.”
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW States Parties in a position to make voluntary contributions to do so. He further emphasised the important role the new ChemTech Centre will play in strengthening the OPCW’s ability to address chemical weapon threats, boost its investigative capability, and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, twenty-seven States Parties and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.
