Centre for the Study of Health, Ethics, and Society
Published: New Open Access Book on Thirty Years of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Histories, Achievements, Challenges
19 February 2026
Photo: UHH/Schmidt
Click here for publication.
In 2023, the stockpiles of chemical weapons that had been declared by the state parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) were eliminated. This momentous achievement in disarmament was the culmination of international efforts whose roots go back to the 1899 and 1905 peace conferences in the Hague and the first formal statements of the laws of war. The implementing body of the CWC— the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) based in The Hague, Netherlands—came into being with the CWC’s entry into force and, and with its 193 member states, represents the largest multinational organization outside the United Nations. In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize “for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.”
This open-access volume consists of papers presented at the conference “Thirty Years of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Histories, Achievements, Challenges”, held in Berlin, 5–6 October 2023, as well as of additional contributions. The meeting reflected on the history and achievements of the CWC over the past thirty years and explored existing and future challenges as the world realigns itself with, and prepares for, a new geopolitical and security environment amid ongoing conflicts in volatile regions such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Also important to note is one year later, in December 2024, the Syrian regime has been overthrown after a 13- year civil war, allowing the OPCW to resolve outstanding issues with Syria’s initial declaration of chemical weapons activities and hopefully bring some closure to the ongoing Syrian file. The possible use of a new family of nerve agents, i.e. Novichok, by Russia, and allegations of use of riot control agents (RCAs) in the ongoing war in Ukraine, continues to challenge the global implementation of the CWC. Recent revelations suggesting that the death of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 2024 was likely due to a tart frog toxin highlight once more the continued relevance of ongoing efforts to protect the world from some of the most dangerous substances known to humankind.
