ISLAMABAD: In a significant endorsement of its role in global arms control, Pakistan has been re-elected to the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the term 2026-28.

The vote was held during the 30th Session of the Conference of States Parties in The Hague, Netherlands, from Nov. 24 to 28.

The 41-member Executive Council serves as the organization's principal policy-making body, overseeing implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and ensuring member-state compliance. It also advances scientific and economic cooperation for peaceful chemical use.

With 193 states as parties, the convention is widely regarded as one of the most successful international disarmament treaties, having verified the destruction of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Pakistan, which ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1997, has remained an active contributor to the OPCW mandate and has been part of the executive council multiple times.

The Pakistan Foreign Office said the country continues to host routine OPCW inspections at relevant national facilities and participates in capacity-building and technical cooperation initiatives.

The foreign office described the re-election as an endorsement of Pakistan’s “constructive contributions” and a reflection of member states’ confidence in Islamabad’s commitment to strengthening global chemical security.

“Pakistan will continue to provide effective leadership and support to the work of the OPCW,” the statement added.

According to its website, the OPCW oversees the global endeavor to permanently and verifiably eliminate the use of chemical weapons.

Articles tagged with "Arms control"

Pakistan retains seat at chemical weapons elimination body