UPSC Prelims 2016 Question:

With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements:

1. It is an organization of the European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO. 
2. It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging. 
3. It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
   
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation: 

• The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. 

• At present, OPCW has 193 Member States, who are working together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons. Thus, OPCW is not an organization of the European Union. So, statement 1 is not  correct.
  
  
• The OPCW Member States share the collective goal of preventing chemistry from ever again being used for warfare. The Convention contains four key provisions which are as follows:
  • destroying all existing chemical weapons under international verification by the OPCW;
  • monitoring chemical industry to prevent new weapons from re-emerging;
  • providing assistance and protection to States Parties against chemical threats; and
  • fostering international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promote the peaceful use of chemistry. So, statement 2 and statement 3 are correct.
    
    

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | International Relations