Thank you Chair, 

In addition to the statement delivered by the EU, I would like to make the following remarks in my national capacity.

Chair, Excellencies and distinguished delegates,

Preventing the proliferation or use of chemical and biological weapons is our shared responsibility. As the host state of the OPCW, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, actively supports the prohibition of the possession and use of chemical weapons, as laid down in the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). 

We are seriously concerned by Russia’s widespread use of chemical weapons. These actions form a clear pattern and include the use of riot control agents against Ukrainian soldiers and the use of the choking agent chloropicrin on the frontlines in Ukraine. In addition, there is Russia’s repeated use of highly toxic nerve agents in poisonings of individuals. In a joint statement in February this year, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom conclusively confirmed the presence of a lethal neurotoxin in the body of Mr. Alexei Navalny at the time of his death in 2024 while held in a Russian prison.

All of these incidents are serious breaches of the CWC. Until now, Russia has not provided a credible response. Instead, it resorts to a campaign of denial, distortion and disinformation.

On the other hand, we are pleased to see that the situation regarding the chemical weapons programme in Syria under the Assad regime has improved remarkably thanks to the close cooperation between Syria and the OPCW. We commend these efforts which have recently led to the first verified destruction of chemical weapons since 2014. We encourage the Syrian authorities to continue on this path towards full compliance with the Convention. 

The Netherlands emphasises the importance of attribution. Holding perpetrators of chemical weapons use accountable and delivering justice to victims is our priority. We cannot allow impunity to undermine the global norm enshrined in the CWC.

Chair,

The BWC has been of utmost importance in preventing the spread of bioweapons for more than 50 years. To ensure it remains fit for purpose, we are committed to the efforts of the Working Group on the Strengthening of the Convention. The Netherlands will continue its efforts, as Friend of the Chair, to take forward the topic of compliance and verification.

Thank you Chair.