The UN marks the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Chemical Weapons with a new call for global action

Celebrated on Saturday, Memorial Day pay tribute to those killed or injured by chemical weapons and call on nations to ensure such horrors are never repeated.

In his message, the Secretary-General highlighted an important milestone achieved last year: the complete destruction of stockpiles declared under sanctions. Chemical Weapons Convention.

“But The past decade has seen the re-emergence of these weapons. Combined with the rapid development of science and technology, the threat is getting bigger and bigger.,” he warned.

Mr. Guterres called on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to ending the scourge once and for all.

“The global community must speak with one voice and reaffirm its commitment to Chemical Weapons Conventionend impunity and uphold the Treaty for the Future commitment to a world free of these weapons,” he said.

passed in Future Summit in September, Pact for the future aims to strengthen global cooperation to address urgent challenges, including disarmament, development, climate change and human rights, ensuring a peaceful and sustainable future for all People.

Keep the memories alive

In addition to a call to action, Memorial Day is also a solemn occasion to remember the victims of chemical warfare.

It is a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of these weapons and the collective responsibility to ensure they are never used again.

This day is observed annually on 30 November or, where appropriate, on the first day of the ordinary session of the Council. Conference of States Parties to the Convention.

The fight against chemical weapons

The international community’s efforts to eliminate chemical weapons date back more than a century.

These weapons caused catastrophic destruction during World War I, killing more than 100,000 people and injuring a million.

Although chemical weapons were not used on the European battlefields during World War II, growing awareness of their devastating effects led to calls for comprehensive disarmament.

Chemical Weapons Convention

Adopted in 1992, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and Their Destruction (Convention Chemical Weapons Convention or CWC) is the foundation of these efforts.

In force since 1997, it has been ratified by 193 countries, making it one of the most widely accepted international disarmament agreements.

The CWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons, and requires the destruction of existing stockpiles and production facilities.

The Convention also establishes the Organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons (OPCW) ARRIVE monitor compliance, provide verification and facilitate international cooperation between Member States.