The Chemical Weapons Convention: Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities

The most comprehensive disarmament treaty ever adopted, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), is intended to ensure that chemical weapons will not be developed, produced, stockpiled, used, or transferred. To implement and enforce the CWC and verify the ongoing elimination of declared chemical weapons production capacity and stockpiles, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) inspects military and industrial sites in dozens of countries. This book provides an in-depth explanation of the notable achievements of the CWC since 1997. It also examines the issues that must be addressed in the context of dynamic changes in the security environment, and in science, industry, and technology. Featuring contributions from government and OPCW officials and experts in international law, industry, government, and the media, this volume highlights the challenges in implementation and assesses the means necessary to preserve the global ban on chemical weapons.