Paul F. Walker

Vice Chair, Arms Control Association. Coordinator, CWC Coalition.
2013 Right Livelihood Laureate. WMD nonproliferation, disarmament.

[Jean Pascal Zanders @JPZanders]

#ChemicalWeapons #WW2 #China #Japan
Exhibition exposing Japanese military's chemical warfare crimes during WWII held in Yokohama
https://t.co/tEE8kdyYdF

[...]

The exhibition, organized by a Japanese citizens' group, highlighted the history and victims of chemical weapons produced by the imperial Japanese army and deployed in China and other regions during World War II, according to the Japanese media outlet Tokyo Shimbun on April 30.

[...]

[Dstl @dstlmod]

“It’s a standard that’s recognised throughout the world” - and it’s a standard we have met for 25 years

Find out what it means to be the ONLY facility in the UK with designated laboratory status from @OPCW 👇

https://t.co/De6sqp09nf

@RoySocChem @UK_OPCW @DefenceHQ

[Convention on Wetlands @RamsarConv]

On this #WetlandsWednesday, the Secretary General moderated a Ministerial Roundtable at the High-level Segment of the 2025 Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, #BRSCOPs2025.

The roundtable brought together ministers for an open dialogue with the goal to move beyond theory and generate concrete policy recommendations for the sound management of chemicals and waste.

With the theme “Make Visible the Invisible: sound management of chemicals and wastes”, the ministers shared experiences and challenges from national and international perspectives.

#WetlandsMatter #EnvironmentalGovernance

[OPCW @OPCW]

Call for Nominations: 2025 OPCW–The Hague Award
28 years after the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, the OPCW continues to honour those who carry its mission forward.

Established after the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize, the Award honours individuals and institutions whose work reflects the spirit of the CWC — advancing disarmament, enhancing international security, and preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons.

This legacy is built on decades of verified destruction, global cooperation, and scientific expertise.

➡️ Learn more and nominate: https://t.co/hXtWXu5TfY

[OPCW @OPCW]

🕊️ #OnThisDay in 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force — a landmark in disarmament and the foundation of the OPCW’s work to eliminate an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.

Why the CWC stands out:

Near universal membership
193 States Parties — only four states remain outside the treaty, making it the most widely adopted disarmament agreement in history.

Concrete results
As of 2023, the OPCW has verified the destruction of 100% of the chemical weapons stockpiles declared by States Parties — over 72,000 metric tonnes eliminated under international supervision. While verification depends on national declarations, the scale and transparency of this process represent one of the most substantial disarmament achievements to date.

Robust verification regime
The OPCW conducts inspections worldwide, including at chemical industry sites, to monitor compliance and prevent rearmament.

[Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International - IPRI @IPRightsIntl]

⏰Happening soon in #Zurich!

IPRI's Executive Director and Right Livelihood Laureate, Joan Carling, will participate in the "Sustainability Now!" lecture series from @rightlivelihood 🌿

👏We applaud the importance that the Right Livelihood Foundation gives to the perspectives of Indigenous peoples

[BWC Implementation Support Unit @BWCISU]

A packed room here at @UNGeneva today to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention. Opening by @INakamitsu from @UN_Disarmament and @MCervoneEU from @EU_UNGeneva

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

A vital multilateral treaty for nonproliferation of bioweapons. @cwccoalition @arms

[BWC Implementation Support Unit @BWCISU]

Today, @BWCISU will hold a commemorative event to mark 50 years of the #1972BWC.

Experts from the diplomatic field & civil society will come together to reflect on the Convention's past, present & future, with support from @EU_UNGeneva & @eu_eeas ⬇️

[UK Delegation to the OPCW @UK_OPCW]

The #OPCW’s 108th Executive Council starts today #EC108.

At this session, 🇬🇧 will:

▶️Support the #OPCW in its mission to uphold the #CWC

▶️Support efforts in Syria to finally destroy Assad’s chemical weapons once & for all

▶️Call out Russia’s chemical weapons use in Ukraine

[Germany at OPCW @Germany_OPCW]

Second @OPCW report on a Technical Assistance Visit to Ukraine confirms finding of grenades containing Riot Control Agents, forbidden under Art. I of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Next necessary step: Official attribution!

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

The importance of global outreach and involvement of civil society in banning chemical weapons has never been more important. @cwccoalition @ArmsControlNow

[OPCW @OPCW]

This week, the OPCW’s Advisory Board on Education and Outreach (ABEO) is meeting at OPCW Headquarters in The Hague. The Board is welcoming some new members with fresh perspectives, and remains dedicated to advise the Organisation on education and outreach strategies. Their expertise strengthens global efforts to uphold the #ChemicalWeaponsConvention.

[OPCW @OPCW]

6/💬OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias expressed grave concern, stating: “More than ever, it is essential to uphold the global norm against chemical weapons and maintain this fundamental prohibition”

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

Second report of use of RCAs in the Ukraine war, forbidden by the Chemical Weapons Convention. @cwccoalition @ArmsControlNow

[OPCW @OPCW]

🔴OPCW Confirms Presence of Riot Control Agent CS in Report on Technical Assistance Visit to Ukraine
🔗Read the press release: https://t.co/smUJBxLsEU

[GP WMD Counter Disinfo @GPctrDisinfo]

(1/4) This has been a busy week for our initiative with @GPWMDofficial Plenary and @OPCW #CSP29. #CBRN #disinformation is continuing to circulate and harm nonproliferation efforts. We also see these attacks increase in the lead up to and during disarmament meetings.

[Jean Pascal Zanders @JPZanders]

#ChemicalWeapons #OPCW #CSP29 #CivilSociety #CostaRica

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

51 countries sign statement of support for civil society participation at annual @CWC meetings, delivered by Netherlands. Thank you! @cwccoalition @ArmsControlNow @OPCW @ CSP29

[@CWCCoalition @cwccoalition]

Ambassador of Costa Rica: During the accreditation process, states parties should give the reason if they choose not to accredit an NGO for participation in the CSP.

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

Excellent report by Germany and Costa Rica. @cwccoalition @ar

[Germany at OPCW @Germany_OPCW]

For @OPCW to stay fit for purpose, exchange with Civil Society is of key importance. @CostaRicainNL & @Germany_OPCW conducted consultations on engagement with civil society and submitted report to OPCW Conference of States Parties.

[Paul F. Walker @PaulWalkerGG]

German and Costa Rican ambassadors recommend enhanced civil society engagement @CSP29. @OPCW @cwccoalition @arms

[Jean Pascal Zanders @JPZanders]

#ChemicalWeapons #Assassination #Threat #Novichok
Novichok attack suspects gave revealing TV interview
https://t.co/lwKNiPVyyu

[...]

Commander Murphy told the hearing that to call their appearance a surprise was a "slight understatement".

"It was quite a shocking thing to see and unexpected, but equally for various reasons quite welcome for them to go on TV like that," he said.

Their interview was used to help investigators confirm it was them in CCTV pictures.

The pair also shared information about their potential movements, which police used in their investigations.

However, the commander said their account was "very different from the movements we actually saw" and was nothing like those a tourist might follow.

The men suggested that they could not use public transport because of wintry conditions - but they had for their journey to and from Salisbury.

[...]