Remembrance Day, being observed on Saturday, pays tribute to the victims of chemical weapons and calls on countries to ensure that such horrors are not repeated.
The UN Secretary-General drew attention to a major achievement by 2023 – the complete elimination of chemical weapons declared under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
But he cautioned, “However, these weapons have re-emerged in the last decade. “With the rapid development of science and technology, the threat has become greater.”
Antonio Guterres called on the international community to reaffirm its commitment to ending the crisis once and for all.
He said, “The world community must speak with one voice and Chemical Weapons Treaty We must reaffirm our resolve to fight terrorism, end impunity and fulfill our commitment to a future treaty for the sake of a world free of these weapons.”
The ‘Deal for the Future’, adopted at the Future Summit in September 2024, aims to strengthen global cooperation to address urgent challenges, including disarmament, development, climate change and human rights, to achieve a peaceful and sustainable future for all people.
to remember
This Remembrance Day is seen as a solemn occasion to honor the victims of chemical warfare, while urging action.
The day is a stark reminder of the devastating humanitarian cost of these weapons and our collective responsibility to ensure they are never used again.
The day is usually observed on 30 November each year or on the first day of the regular session of the Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
War against chemical weapons
The international community’s efforts to eliminate chemical weapons have been ongoing for more than a century.
These weapons wreaked havoc during World War I, killing more than a million people and wounding over a million.
Although chemical weapons were not used on European battlefields during World War II, growing awareness of their devastating effects led to calls for widespread disarmament.
Chemical Weapons Treaty
The cornerstone of this effort is the 1992 Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons (Chemical Weapons Convention or CWC).
The treaty has been ratified by 193 countries since its entry into force in 1997, making it one of the most widely recognized international disarmament treaties.
The treaty prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and mandates the destruction of existing stockpiles and production facilities.
The treaty established the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to monitor compliance, verify and facilitate international cooperation among member states.