The Hague, Netherlands—16 January 2020—The Government of Cyprus has contributed €25,000 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 Cyprus to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Elpidoforos Economou.
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Cyprus for this 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 Economou expressed his full confidence in the OPCW and Cyprus’ commitment in supporting the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. He stated: “The ChemTech Centre will be a valuable resource for the OPCW and its Member States, both by ensuring that the organisation remains relevant and fit for purpose and by providing several collective benefits, including training and capacity-building assistance.”
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-nine 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.
