The Chemical Weapons Convention is one of the 25 core treaties of the United Nations, adherence to which is strongly encouraged by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. It is one of the cornerstones of the international security architecture of the 21st century, providing a multilateral co-operative mechanism devoted to disarmament, non-proliferation, and assistance to the victims of chemical weapons use. Its primary objective is the elimination of chemical weapons -- a whole category of weapons of mass destruction worldwide -- an important step towards the creation of a healthier world. At the same time, the Convention aims at increasing transparency in the chemical activities of States Parties, and facilitating international co-operation among them to foster economic and technological development in the area.

The horrific terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in the United States of America as well as in several other countries in recent years have only amplified that urgency. Although the Convention is primarily a disarmament accord between states, it also creates a universal legal foundation that can and should be used to fight chemical terrorism. It criminalises development, production, stockpiling, acquisition by other means, and use of chemical weapons by nationals of the States Parties anywhere in the world and by all individuals on their territory. States Parties are required to enact penal legislation to ensure that violators are prosecuted. By joining the CWC you will expand the coverage of a ban on chemical weapons, which already extends to about 98% of world's population and landmass, and 98% of global chemical industry, and reduce the potential for "safe havens" which violators of the Convention may seek to use to avoid criminal prosecution. The Convention also mandates the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to provide timely and effective assistance to those States Parties which are threatened with chemical weapons or against which such weapons have been used.

More than ever, the international community will press for tangible and concrete action by nation states that have not yet taken the political and legal steps to adhere to certain key international treaties -- building blocks for the creation of a safer and more secure world for future generations. In this endeavour to eliminate the global threats mankind faces -- weapons of mass destruction, poverty, environmental catastrophe, economic break-down as well as international terrorism -- now is the opportune moment to take decisive steps to join the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention demonstrates a state's commitment to disarmament and international co-operation, and helps to reinforce its position in the mainstream of international politics. It builds confidence and transparency in security-related policies at regional and international levels. By embracing international norms of behaviour, the States Parties create a conducive atmosphere for bilateral and multilateral co-operation and interaction in the field of disarmament and security.

Countries that take a "passive" stance regarding the efforts of the international community to contribute to issues of global concerns, and that withdraw from the collective responsibility to advance the cause of global security risk losing visibility and recognition by the international community.

Adhering to the Chemical Weapons Convention offers the unique opportunity to become an active part of the OPCW community of nations and to work with the other members of the Conference of States Parties, thus allowing national concerns and interests to be taken into account. Moreover, the Chemical Weapons Convention is itself a rather young instrument which requires regular inputs from its members in order to reinforce its effectiveness. By keeping a distance from the CWC, states not party are missing opportunities to influence the course of events in relation to chemical weapons disarmament, and -- more importantly for those who do not have such weapons -- fostering international co-operation in the peaceful use of chemistry and in chemical industry.

Adherence to the CWC is politically beneficial as it allows defusing tensions in inter-state relations. By adhering to the CWC, a state sends the right signal to its neighbours and to the international community about its long-term intentions. This constitutes a building block in the confidence-building process and paves the way for meaningful co-operation in a climate of trust, confidence and transparency. CWC adherence can contribute to the restoration of peace at bilateral or regional levels and assist in the de-escalation of tension.

At times when the menace of chemical warfare is again felt as real, this time in the form of possible terrorist attacks, it cannot be understated that the CWC offers its States Parties access to immediate and effective assistance by the OPCW should chemical weapons be used against them or should they be threatened by such use, together with wide political backing from the family of OPCW members. Any attempt to use chemical weapons against a State Party will culminate in the international isolation of the aggressor and, as the case may be, may lead to effective sanctions by the United Nations Security Council.

The OPCW is a modern, democratic, global organisation. All its Member States have one vote in the Conference of the States Parties. All Member States can seek membership to the Executive Council of the OPCW or any of the other subsidiary bodies. Nationals from all Member States are eligible for recruitment to the OPCW Secretariat which currently has representatives of approx. 70 States Parties among its more than 500 staff members. Scientists from all Member States may be called to serve on the Scientific Advisory Board -- the body that advises the Director-General of the OPCW on scientific and technological developments that may impact on the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The OPCW lays much emphasis on the non-discriminatory nature of its relationship with its Member States. It provides equal treatment to all its members, irrespective of whether countries are big or small, rich or poor. This even-handedness in its dealings with its members underpins the well-established and recognised credibility of the OPCW.

Now is the time to join the Convention. Many of the dwindling number of non-members of the OPCW are already parties to other multilateral disarmament agreements and regimes -- the 1925 Geneva Protocol, the NPT, and the BWC, or in the case of CTBT, have signed or ratified the treaty. Adhering to the CWC is the next logical step to complete the construction of the universal international security structure. Now is the time.