Morocco Leads Global Chemical Weapons Prevention Council

Morocco earned unanimous support to lead the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the global body working to eliminate chemical weapons forever.

Ambassador Mohamed Basri will chair the council for a one-year term starting May 12. Every member state backed his appointment, reflecting Morocco's trusted role in advancing chemical safety worldwide.

This marks Morocco's second time leading the council, having previously served in 2021-2022. The North African nation has built a strong record of leadership within the OPCW, including chairing the organization's supreme body in 2017-2018.

Morocco's commitment goes beyond holding titles. The country has hosted conferences and training programs across Africa, teaching military, law enforcement, and emergency responders about chemical safety and preventing chemical terrorism.

The kingdom signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993 and has never possessed chemical weapons. Since then, it has met every obligation under the treaty while helping other nations do the same.

The Ripple Effect

Morocco's leadership comes at a crucial time for global security. The OPCW now includes 193 member states working together to keep the world safe from chemical weapons.

Since 1997, the organization has verified the destruction of all declared chemical weapons stockpiles worldwide. That remarkable achievement earned the OPCW the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.

Morocco's African-focused training programs are creating ripples of expertise across the continent. Each session equips professionals with skills to handle chemical emergencies and prevent misuse, making communities safer from Rabat to Cape Town.

By championing peaceful chemistry and international cooperation, Morocco is showing how sustained commitment to global safety creates lasting change. The nation's twice-earned leadership position proves that dedication to peace gets recognized and rewarded.

Morocco's steady hand will guide critical decisions about chemical weapons prevention for the year ahead, continuing a mission that has already made the world measurably safer.