AMBASSADOR AHMET UZUMCU, VISITING DIRECTOR GENERAL OF THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS (OPCW) PAYS A COURTESY CALL ON THE ADVISER TO THE PRIME MINISTER ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS

mbassador Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of The Hague-based Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) paid an official visit to Pakistan on 18-20 November 2015. This was the second official visit of DG OPCW to Pakistan since his assumption of office in 2010.

During his stay in Pakistan, Ambassador Uzumcu called on the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs on 18 November 2015. During the meeting, the Adviser appreciated the Director General’s leadership in guiding OPCW in achieving its objective of complete elimination of chemical weapons all across the globe. He also complimented OPCW on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. The Adviser assured the Director General that Pakistan remained fully committed to the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and would remain actively and constructively engaged with the OPCW.

The OPCW Director General expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s continued support to the OPCW and its effective implementation of the CWC. He also briefed the Adviser on the ongoing and future activities of his Organization, particularly the emerging challenges in the post-destruction phase.

During his visit, Ambassador Ahmet Uzumcu also held official talks with the Foreign Secretary. He also inaugurated the Regional CWC Assistance and Protection Centre (CWCAPC) along with the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and witnessed the proceedings of the ongoing Advanced International Assistance and Protection Course. Ambassador Uzumcu also visited the Chemical Protection Research Laboratory (CPRL), which has been recently established by Pakistan’s premier chem-bio defence institution, DESTO.

The OPCW Director General delivered a key note address at a Seminar on ‘Achievements of OPCW and its Future Role in the Post-Destruction Phase’ at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad (ISSI) and also gave an exclusive interview to PTV World, during which he elaborated ongoing and future activities of the OPCW.

Islamabad,
20 November 2015

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