On 21 April 2015, the OPCW will mark the centenary of the first large-scale use of chemical weapons with a commemorative meeting of its Member States in Ieper, Belgium.
This event will serve to honour the memory of all victims of chemical warfare over the past century, as well as to re-dedicate collective efforts to rid the world of chemical weapons. To this end, a Declaration will be issued by the States Parties also statements by the Director-General of the OPCW, the Belgian Defence Minister and the Mayor of Ieper, as well as on behalf of the UN Secretary-General and the OPCW’s Regional Groups.
The historic “Ieper Declaration”, which will be issued by the meeting, will also be posted at www.opcw.org.
