The Chemical Weapons Convention: A Perspective from Geneva

This paper provides an overview of the organization, administration and functioning of the 39-nation Conference on Disarmament (CD) in Geneva. A brief discussion of the structure and evolution of the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty text is given, followed by a description of the principal technical highlights, particularly related to schedules of chemicals and to verification of the chemical industry. The mechanics of issue resolution in the CD setting are pointed out, with emphasis on some of the technical aspects of the Convention. Several approaches proposed for verification of on-going chemical industry activities under the CWC are compared to and contrasted with nuclear material safeguards as implemented by the International Atomic Energy Agency; specific topics include declarations and reporting, facility agreements, material accountancy, and ways in which the characteristics of the materials being monitored influence and, in some cases determine, the nature of inspection activities.