A World Free Of Chemical Weapons Event Inaugurated By Vice Minister Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji In Riyadh

Eng. Waleed El-Khereiji, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, inaugurated the event "A World Free of Chemical Weapons" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Riyadh. The event was held under the patronage of Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. Organised by the National Authority for the Implementation of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions, it featured an exhibition and was attended by dignitaries from various government bodies and ambassadors from friendly nations.

The Vice Minister highlighted the importance of international cooperation in eliminating chemical weapons. He welcomed participants and emphasised raising awareness about these weapons' dangers. He stated that revisiting the history of chemical weapons reveals a dark chapter where science was misused for destruction rather than progress. This misuse dates back to ancient times with smoke and simple poisons evolving into modern lethal gases.

El-Khereiji noted that painful experiences with chemical weapons have driven global efforts to prevent their use. The first international agreement limiting chemical weapons was signed in 1675 between France and Germany, known as the Strasbourg Agreement, banning poisoned bullets. In 1874, the Brussels Convention further prohibited poison or poisoned weapons, followed by disarmament initiatives like the Hague Peace Conferences in 1899 and 1907.

The Vice Minister explained that these efforts culminated in the 1925 Geneva Protocol banning asphyxiating gases. The most significant milestone was the 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997. This established the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to monitor compliance and work towards a world without such weapons.

El-Khereiji affirmed Saudi Arabia's commitment to international peace through cooperation and shared responsibility. The Kingdom was among the first to support and ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. It promptly established a national authority as a point of contact with OPCW member states and actively participated in meetings since its inception in 1997.

The national authority submits annual declarations on chemical substances present in Saudi Arabia. It collaborates closely with OPCW inspection teams, providing full support for their missions with transparency. El-Khereiji also mentioned Saudi Arabia's active role in international forums, contributing to capacity-building efforts and strengthening global cooperation.

Contributions to International Initiatives

Saudi Arabia has consistently supported international efforts for global peace and security. The Kingdom contributed €50,000 to establish OPCW's new Centre for Chemistry and Technology. This reflects its ongoing commitment to fostering international collaboration against chemical weapon threats.

The Vice Minister concluded by reiterating Saudi Arabia's dedication to achieving a world free from chemical weapons through active participation and support for international initiatives aimed at peace and security.

With inputs from SPA