Chemical weapons

The question of banning chemical warfare has been discussed in the framework of the United Nations for the past 20 years. Initially, the subject was dealt with mainly in conjunction with that of prohibiting biological weapons. From 1971 onward, however, after agreement was reached on the conclusion of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction (resolution 2826 (XXVI), annex), the question of a ban on chemical weapons has been discussed as a separate issue. In the preamble of that Convention, which entered into force on 26 March 1975, the States parties recognize that an agreement on the prohibition of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons represented a first possible step towards the achievement of agreement on effective measures also for the prohibition of the development, production and stockpiling of chemical weapons and express their determination to continue negotiations to that end. In article IX, moreover, each State party affirms the recognized objective of effective prohibition of chemical weapons and, to this end, undertakes to continue negotiations in good faith with a view to reaching early agreement on effective measures for the prohibition of their development, production and stockpiling and for their destruction, and on appropriate measures concerning equipment and means of delivery specifically designed for the production or use of chemical agents for weapons purposes.

Related Subject(s): Disarmament