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OPCW marks its 20th anniversary

BRUSSELS, April 26 (KUNA) -- In the presence of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) marked the 20th Anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the founding of the OPCW during a ceremony held in The Hague on Wednesday, according to an OPCW press release.
"We have come together to rededicate ourselves to peace, security and progress. Those are the abiding objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention and the essence of all our endeavours at the OPCW," said OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu, in his opening statement.
He paid homage to the memory of victims of chemical weapons across the world.
"Many survivors continue to endure painful suffering despite the years that have elapsed since exposure. Some are present here today. They remind us of the human toll when morality is recklessly abandoned and universal norms callously breached," he said.
Uzumcu reminded guests that "the work of the OPCW represents the most effective response to such cruelty; a ray of hope illuminating a dark shadow on our history." The ceremony was attended by 450 Permanent Representatives and other delegates from OPCW Member States; chemical weapon victims; leaders of international organisations, chemical industry and civil society; and dignitaries from the Netherlands. (end) nk.rk