Chemical Weapons Convention | 05 Jul 2025

Source: PIB 

India hosted the 23rd Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). 

Chemical Weapons Convention 

• About: CWC is a multilateral treaty banning chemical weapons and requiring their destruction within the stipulated time. 
  • It came into force in 1997 and its implementation is overseen by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with 193 member states. 
  • OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its global efforts in eliminating chemical weapons. 
• India and CWC: India is an original signatory of the CWC and implements it through the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), established under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000. 
  • The Indian Chemical Council (ICC), India’s oldest chemical industry association, was awarded the OPCW-The Hague Award 2024, becoming the first industry body globally to receive this honour. 
• Chemical Weapons: A chemical weapon is any toxic chemical or device designed to cause intentional harm or death, including munitions and equipment for delivery.  
  • It mandates the destruction of old and abandoned chemical weapons and requires members to declare riot-control agents like tear gas.