Canada Contributes CAD 2,500,000 to Future OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology
In the picture, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, François-Philippe Champagne and the Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Fernando Arias.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands–24 September 2020–The Government of Canada announced today a contribution of a further CAD 2,500,000 (€1,600,000) 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 Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, communicated the contribution to the OPCW’s Director-General, H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, during a conversation today.
Minister Champagne remarked: “Canada is pleased to provide additional funding to the OPCW’s new Centre for Chemistry and Technology, which reflects our longstanding commitment to mitigating global chemical weapons threats. Our CAD 10 million total commitment makes Canada the top national donor to the Centre, and will help strengthen the OPCW’s capacity to address new and evolving threats.”
The Director-General expressed his gratitude to the Government of Canada for this second generous contribution. He highlighted: “The new OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology will strengthen the capabilities of our Member States to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. It will also increase international cooperation toward safer and peaceful uses of chemicals for the benefit of people and the environment. We appreciate the continued commitment of OPCW Member States to this important project during these unprecedented times.”
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, 43 Member States, Israel – a signatory state – 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.
