In the picture H.E. Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus, Permanent Representative of Australia to the OPCW.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands – 17 June 2020 – The Government of Australia has contributed AUD 200,000 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 between OPCW Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, and the Permanent Representative of Australia to the OPCW, H.E. Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus.
Ambassador Neuhaus remarked: “Australia is proud to contribute to such an important project. The ChemTech Centre will provide opportunities for experts from all over the world to further enhance their technical capabilities. It will ensure that the OPCW remains at the forefront of being able to respond to chemical weapons issues long into the future.”
The Director-General expressed: “I thank the Government of Australia 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. The continued commitment of OPCW Member States to this important project during these unprecedented times is especially meaningful.”
Director-General Arias appealed to all OPCW Member States 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 and enhance capacity building activities. He highlighted that “all contributions, regardless of size, are greatly appreciated”.
So far, thirty-eight Member States and the European Union have contributed or pledged to contribute financially to the ChemTech Centre project, and a considerable amount has been raised to date.
