CWC 93-97
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction better known as the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) is an international arm control treaty. Recognizing the objectives and obligations assumed under the Geneva Protocol of 1925, which prohibited the use of Chemical and Biological Weapons in war, the CWC also bans the development, production, stockpiling, transfer and retention of Chemical Weapons. Moreover, each State Party pledges to destroy any chemical weapons in its own posses, or that are located in any place under its jurisdiction or control, or that it abandoned on the territory of another State Party. The Convention was open for signature in Paris on the 13 January 1993 and 130 States signed it within the first two years. It entered into force in April 1997 with 87 States Parties and it Currently comprises 192 members. Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan have neither signed nor acceded to the Treaty. Every 5 years the Convention foresees that State Parties should undertake a Review of the Implementation Process, identifying specific areas where further work is needed. In particular the Review should focus on the verification regime and the changing context within which it is implemented as well as scientific and technological advances in chemistry, engineering and biotechnology. The first review conference was held from 28 April to 9 May 2003 while the second review conference took place from 7 to 18 April 2008.