MIKTA Joint Statement at the 108th Executive Council of the OPCW

MIKTA Joint Statement on Chemical Safety and Security Agenda Item 15: Any Other Business

March 4, 2025

Mr Chairperson, Mr Director General, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of MIKTA Countries: Mexico, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Republic of Türkiye, and Australia.

MIKTA countries commend the Director-General, Technical Secretariat (TS) and States Parties for taking action to enhance chemical safety and security to prevent the reemergence of chemical weapons.

We all share a duty to contribute to international peace and security, including by strengthening the multilateral architecture that provides us with important protections and tools.

Regional cooperation in chemical safety and security can enhance the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) by fostering collaboration among States Parties and facilitating
the exchange of best practices. Tailored training programs and capacity building activities are crucial for strengthening national capacities and fostering a culture of chemical security.

MIKTA countries have played an active role in supporting international cooperation and capacity building to enhance chemical safety and security and promote the peaceful uses of chemistry.

Last year, we hosted our inaugural MIKTA side event on Artificial Intelligence in the margins of the 29th Conference of the States Parties, which highlighted opportunities and challenges
for chemical safety and security.

We as MIKTA countries in our national capacities have also contributed to such efforts, through various international activities and meetings that we organized and hosted in recent years. We will refer to them separately in our national statements.

Through capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and stronger verification measures, we help ensure all nations, regardless of resources, can prevent the misuse of chemicals. Our commitment to multilateral cooperation strengthens global security and non-proliferation efforts.

By engaging governments, industry, and civil society, MIKTA fosters responsible chemical management and equitable access to protective technologies. MIKTA countries stand ready
to support the OPCW to ensure that every country can meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, advancing our shared goal: a world free from chemical threats.

It is vital that we continue to build trust and to effectively support efforts towards ensuring the safety and security of all states against the threat of chemical weapons.

Encouraged by our shared commitment to democracy, upholding international law and promoting multilateralism and international cooperation, we will serve as a positive force in addressing these shared global challenges.

I kindly ask you to consider this MIKTA statement as an official document of the 108th Session of the Executive Council and post it on the OPCW external server and public website.

Thank you.