Division 9 Visits of Executive Council representatives and Observers of State Parties with developing economies to chemical weapons destruction facilities

To date, eight visits have taken place — four in the United States of America, three in the Russian Federation and one in China (Abandoned Chemical Weapons Destruction Facilities), with funding provided under Joint Action 2007/185/CFSP, Decision 2009/569/CFSP, and Decision 2012/166/CFSP. The visits conducted so far have proved to be valuable as a means of addressing questions or concerns about a possessor State Party's programme for fulfilling its obligations on the destruction of its chemical weapons. All State Parties will benefit from these visits which will help enhance transparency and build confidence that progress is being made for the complete destruction of the remaining chemical weapons in accordance with the provisions of the CWC and under the verification of the Technical Secretariat. The project should encourage broader participation in such visits by State Parties while taking into account the appropriate financial criteria and taking steps to ensure the adequate rotation of participants.