A Conversation with His Excellency Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force in 1997 and today has 188 parties. This treaty, which bans the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer or use of chemical weapons, has a robust verification regime including challenge inspections. Work to eliminate existing stockpiles of chemical agents continues among the treaty parties. But none of that applies to non-parties to the treaty. Allegations of the possible use of chemical weapons in Syria, which is not a party to the CWC, points to the need to do more.

Please join CSIS for a discussion with H.E. Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General of the OPCW, about the challenges to the chemical weapons nonproliferation regime today, including appropriate responses to the allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in Syria.

CSIS Proliferation Prevention Program Presents:

A Conversation with

His Excellency Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu

Director General, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Thursday, May 23rd, 12-1:30 p.m.

12:15-12:30 p.m. Welcome and Introduction

Ms. Sharon Squassoni, Director and Senior Fellow, Proliferation Prevention Program

12:30-12:55 p.m.             

Presentation by H.E. Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu, Director General, Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

12:55-1:10 p.m.             

A Conversation with H.E. Mr. Ahmet Uzumcu and Dr. Cindy Vestergaard, Visiting Fellow, Proliferation Prevention Program

1:10-1:30 p.m. Audience Question & Answer Session