OPCW

#CHEMEXGRULAC is underway in the Dominican Republic bringing together experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen readiness for chemical emergencies. 👩‍🚒 First responders and 👩‍🔬 medical personnel are training side by side, each playing a critical role in managing chemical incidents. Through a mix of theory and hands-on simulations, participants are building the skills needed to respond effectively under real-world conditions. The multi-component exercise opened with high-level participation from #OPCW, 🇩🇴, 🇪🇺 and 🇨🇦. On day 2⃣, participants trained with different levels of personal protective equipment against chemicals, experiencing first-hand how operating in full gear makes every task more complex and physically demanding. By day 3⃣, first responders were training in decontamination procedures, while medical teams worked through realistic scenarios involving patients exposed to toxic chemicals, strengthening their capacity to deliver timely and specialised care in high-pressure situations. Learn more ➡️ visitopcw.org/4t1IBYp CHEMEX GRULAC is co-funded by 🇪🇺, 🇨🇦 and 🇪🇸.

📣 Applications are now open for #NGOs to attend the 31st Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Details and apply ➡️ visitopcw.org/4dmVQy4 Join the conversation and bring your voice to the table. #CSP31 #NGOvoicesOPCW

Day 6 of #CHEMEXGRULAC added another layer of complexity for medical teams. Today’s scenario simulated a large-scale chemical incident with multiple casualties requiring different types of care. Victims were transported by ambulance to a field medical tent, where teams had to rapidly assess each patient and decide on the next steps, including urgent transfer to intensive care when needed. Using triage protocols, patients were categorised with colour-coded tags based on the severity of their condition — ensuring the most critical cases received immediate attention, while others were directed to the appropriate treatment areas within the tent. In chemical emergencies, both speed and accuracy are critical. Every minute counts. From doctors and nurses to paramedics and midwives, medical personnel must be ready to act decisively — there is little room for error when lives are at stake. For the first time, the OPCW is integrating a full medical component into an exercise of this scale. CHEMEX GRULAC tests the entire chain of response — from the hot zone to hospital care — under realistic, high-pressure conditions, strengthening coordination between teams working together to save lives. Learn more about this flagship exercise by the OPCW ➡️ visitopcw.org/4cQnmT2 CHEMEX GRULAC is co-funded by 🇪🇺, 🇨🇦 and 🇪🇸.

On day 5 of #CHEMEXGRULAC, participants worked through table-top exercises and realistic chemical emergency scenarios, putting their skills to the test under pressure. First responders applied their sampling techniques across three complex scenarios: ✅ a laboratory with a chemical leak ✅ an explosion involving toxic chemicals ✅ the collection of evidence from a chemical dispersion device Medical teams managed patients exposed to a range of toxic substances, highlighting how different chemicals affect the body in different ways and require tailored treatments, from antidotes and supportive care to specialised decontamination and monitoring. Through CHEMEX GRULAC, participants gain advanced skills, strengthen international cooperation, and exchange best practices — building a more coordinated and effective response to chemical emergencies. Learn more about this flagship exercise by the OPCW ➡️ visitopcw.org/4cQnmT2

#CHEMEXGRULAC is underway in the Dominican Republic bringing together experts from across Latin America and the Caribbean to strengthen readiness for chemical emergencies. 👩‍🚒 First responders and 👩‍🔬 medical personnel are training side by side, each playing a critical role in managing chemical incidents. Through a mix of theory and hands-on simulations, participants are building the skills needed to respond effectively under real-world conditions. The multi-component exercise opened with high-level participation from #OPCW, 🇩🇴, 🇪🇺 and 🇨🇦. On day 2⃣, participants trained with different levels of personal protective equipment against chemicals, experiencing first-hand how operating in full gear makes every task more complex and physically demanding. By day 3⃣, first responders were training in decontamination procedures, while medical teams worked through realistic scenarios involving patients exposed to toxic chemicals, strengthening their capacity to deliver timely and specialised care in high-pressure situations. Learn more ➡️ visitopcw.org/4t1IBYp CHEMEX GRULAC is co-funded by 🇪🇺, 🇨🇦 and 🇪🇸.

💡Science thrives when knowledge is shared. The Hague Ethical Guidelines encourage chemists to share scientific and technical information relating to the development and application of chemistry for peaceful purposes. #ChemistryForPeace

🕊️ History was made on 29 April 1997 with the entry into force of the #ChemicalWeaponsConvention (CWC) —a powerful agreement for ridding the world of chemical weapons. But what is a chemical weapon according to the CWC?

29 years ago, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) came into force — a major milestone in disarmament and the foundation of the OPCW’s work towards a world #FreeofChemicalWeapons. Why is the CWC a landmark achievement? 🔵 Near universal membership 193 States Parties — only four states remain outside the treaty, making it the most widely adopted disarmament agreement in history. 🔵 Concrete results As of 2023, the OPCW has verified the destruction of 100% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by States Parties — over 72,000 metric tonnes eliminated under international supervision. While verification depends on national declarations, the scale and transparency of this process represent one of the most substantial disarmament achievements to date. 🔵 Robust verification regime The OPCW conducts inspections worldwide, including at chemical industry sites, to monitor compliance and prevent rearmament.

🌍Calling all women making an impact in chemistry! Strengthen your capacities and expertise within the field of chemistry through the OPCW’s Symposium on Women in Chemistry. 📅 Register by 12 May 2026 ➡️ Register: eventus.opcw.org 🎯 To join, you must: ✅ Be a national of an OPCW Member State ✅ Hold a BSc or equivalent in chemistry or a related field ✅ Have professional experience in academia, industry, or a related institution 💻 Online track open to all Member States 🌍 In-person track open to Eastern Europe candidates #WomenInChemistry #OPCW #STEM #GenderEquality

Global challenges require diplomatic dialogue and global cooperation. Now, more than ever, #MultilateralismMatters. The #ChemicalWeaponsConvention is a testament to what can be achieved when nations come together to confront shared challenges, and to achieve a common goal: a world #FreeofChemicalWeapons🫱🏽‍🫲🏿 #DiplomacyDay #DiplomacyForPeace

English Language Day | 23 April English, the OPCW’s working language, plays a vital role in diplomacy and international cooperation.  At the OPCW, we believe that dialogue on peace and disarmament should reflect the voices of the world. That’s why our explainer video series is available in all six OPCW official languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 📺 Check out an informative series of videos explaining our work in English: visitopcw.org/4u1LoBw

Día del Idioma Español | 23 de abril El español, idioma nativo de unos 500 millones de hablantes, es un eficaz puente entre continentes. 🌍🗣️ En la OPAQ estamos convencidos de que el diálogo sobre la paz y el desarme debería hacerse eco de las voces del mundo. Por eso contamos con una colección de vídeos explicativos sobre nuestra labor en los seis idiomas oficiales de la OPAQ: árabe, chino, español, francés, inglés y ruso. 📺Descúbralos en español en el siguiente enlace: youtube.com/playlist?list=… Spanish Language Day | 23 April With nearly half a billion native speakers, Spanish is a powerful bridge across continents. 🌍🗣️ At the OPCW, we believe that dialogue on peace and disarmament should reflect the voices of the world. That’s why our explainer video series is available in all six OPCW official languages — Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. 📺 Explore a series of informative videos on our work in Spanish:

🇨🇦 #Canada has contributed CAD 5 million to support the OPCW’s work in implementing its mandate related to the Syrian Arab Republic. 🔗Read more: visitopcw.org/4dYP1DL

On this day, 111 years ago, marked the beginning of a devastating new chapter in human conflict: the first large-scale use of chemical weapons in #Ieper, Belgium. Today, we remember the victims and reaffirm a global commitment towards a world #FreeofChemicalWeapons.

🗓️Happening next week: CHEMEX GRULAC 2026, OPCW’s first large-scale multi-component chemical emergency preparedness and response exercise in Latin America and the Caribbean. The exercise tests the full chain of response in a chemical emergency — from operations in the hot zone to hospital care — under realistic, high-pressure conditions. More about #CHEMEXGRULAC ⬇️

中文日 | 4月20日 中文拥有超过十亿使用者，是世界上最古老和使用最广泛的语言之一，至今仍在塑造着全球对话。🗣️🌏 在禁化武组织，我们认识到在建设和平和推进裁军的过程中，这个世界上的各种声音和语言必须得到反映。 📺 探讨禁化武组织如何用中文传达其使命和《化学武器公约》的核心原则 ------ Chinese Language Day | 20 April Spoken by over a billion people, Chinese is one of the world’s oldest and most widely used languages, and continues to shape global dialogue today. 🗣️ 🌏 At the OPCW, we recognise that building peace and advancing disarmament must reflect the voices and languages of the world. 📺 Explore how the OPCW communicates its mission and the core principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention — in Chinese: youtube.com/playlist?list=… @China_OPCW

Chemistry practitioners who supervise others carry an added responsibility — ensuring chemicals, equipment, and facilities are not misused. The #HagueEthicalGuidelines encourage supervisors and senior scientists to uphold ethical and responsible practice. #ChemistryForPeace

📣 We're hiring! Legal Adviser (D-2) Join the OPCW in a senior leadership role advising the Director-General on the implementation of the #ChemicalWeaponsConvention and a broad range of strategic legal matters. The ideal candidate brings at least 15 years of experience in international or administrative law, with a senior-level track record in an international organisation or the public sector. 📍 The Hague, Netherlands 🗓 Deadline: 7 May 2026 Apply here 👉 visitopcw.org/4mzRkiT

Strengthening gender equity in chemistry makes the world safer. 👩‍🔬👨‍🔬 Empowering women chemists goes beyond inclusion, it builds the expertise needed to uphold the #ChemicalWeaponsConvention and advance the peaceful uses of chemistry. Learn more about the OPCW's work in building a more inclusive future for chemistry: visitopcw.org/4vvHcvn

🇵🇹 #Portugal has contributed €70K to support the Organisation’s work in Syria and Portuguese-speaking Member States. 🔗Read more: visitopcw.org/3Q9ZOkv