On 17 May 2024, the Latvian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Solvita Āboltiņa, submitted a letter of credence to the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias.
During the conversation, the Ambassador confirmed Latvia’s support for strengthening international norms prohibiting the use of chemical weapons. The Ambassador stressed that the full and effective implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention contributes to the promotion of international peace and security. Latvia has always treated its obligations towards the Convention responsibly, which has already been recognised by electing Latvia to the high-ranking post of the Vice-President of the 27th Conference of the States Parties on 29 November 2022.
The Director-General of the OPCW, Fernando Arias, highly appreciated the Ambassador’s commitment to continued support for the organization’s goals and highlighted current issues, including the challenges that the OPCW will have to face in view of the rapid development of new technologies and the increasing use of artificial intelligence in the military sector.
Background information
The Chemical Weapons Convention or Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction entered into force on 29 April 1997. Latvia signed the Convention on 6 May 1993, when it was finalised. The Convention is the only global instrument that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, transport and use of chemical weapons, and establishes a strict verification mechanism. The implementation of the Convention is monitored by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. 193 countries have joined the Convention.