The Czech Republic has made a voluntary contribution of more than €10,000 to support assistance and protection initiatives under the OPCW’s Africa Programme. The funding was formalised during a signing ceremony in October 2025 between the Czech Ambassador to the OPCW, René Miko, and OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias at the organisation’s headquarters in The Hague.
Ambassador Miko emphasized that the contribution reflects Czechia’s ongoing commitment to international peace, security, and capacity-building efforts in chemical disarmament. He highlighted the Africa Programme’s important role in strengthening implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention across the continent and improving chemical safety and security. Director-General Arias expressed appreciation for the support, noting that it will help build the capabilities of African first responders to manage chemical emergencies and protect populations from chemical incidents.
The Czech Republic has been an active OPCW member since the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force in 1997 and has provided consistent financial support over the years. Since 2023, it has contributed more than €34,000 to OPCW trust funds, including funding for Article X implementation and earlier support for the OPCW Centre for Chemistry and Technology. These contributions complement the organisation’s broader efforts to strengthen chemical safety, promote peaceful uses of chemistry, and enhance national capacities in African member states through the Africa Programme.
The OPCW, which oversees global implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, has verified the complete destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles since 1997 and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most successful disarmament bodies. Its achievements, including eliminating an entire class of weapons, earned it the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
