Statement by Sabrina Dallafior to the 30th Session of the Conference of States-Parties

Statement by Sabrina Dallafior to the 30th Session of the Conference of States-Parties Delivered by Sabrina Dallafior THE HAGUE, Netherlands–24 November 2025 Monsieur le Président, Directeur général, Excellences, Distingués délégués, Chers collègues, Tout d’abord, j’aimerais vous remercier. Je souhaite exprimer ma profonde gratitude pour la confiance que vous m’avez accordée en m’appuyant comme prochaine Directrice générale de l’OIAC. Le fait que cette nomination ait été faite par consensus me remplit de confiance et d’optimisme. Bien qu’un tel consensus puisse sembler aller de soi, il constitue aujourd’hui un signal fort en faveur du multilatéralisme. Il témoigne de la solidité de cette Organisation, de son engagement collectif et des raisons pour lesquelles l’OIAC continue de servir de modèle dans le domaine du désarmement et de la sécurité internationale. Excellencies, Throughout my campaign, I had the privilege of travelling to The Hague on many occasions and engaging with all regional groups and with many OPCW Member States. These exchanges allowed me to deepen my understanding of the Organisation, its challenges, and the concerns of its membership. It was also an honour to join you in observing the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare. This solemn commemoration not only pays tribute to those who suffered but reminds us of the importance of our collective mission: a world free of chemical weapons. With these experiences in mind, I approach my responsibilities with a strong sense of purpose, ready to assume office next summer and to lead the Organisation as it approaches its 30th anniversary. At the beginning of the selection process, we had a broad field of highly qualified candidates—an indication of the value that Member States place on the OPCW. I wish to thank my fellow candidates for the fairness and professionalism they demonstrated throughout the whole selection process. My sincere thanks also go to the Chair of the Executive Council, who guided us through the selection process with great diligence and stewardship, ultimately leading us to a consensus outcome. I am moreover grateful to my Swiss colleagues whose support throughout the campaign made this day possible. Allow me also to commend the Technical Secretariat and all its staff. I am grateful that I will be able to work at the helm of an Organisation filled with such expertise and look forward to meeting all of you. Por encima de todo, permítanme expresar mi más sincero agradecimiento al Director General Arias. Ha dirigido al Secretariado Técnico a través de tiempos desafiantes con una estabilidad y una visión extraordinaria. Los logros de los últimos años se deben en gran medida a su liderazgo. Al asumir el cargo, se comprometió plenamente con el éxito de esta Organización y a afrontar los desafíos por venir con un enfoque a la vez activo y discreto. Los últimos años han demostrado claramente que cumplió con este compromiso. Le agradezco una vez más por su dedicación. Just as Director-General Arias fulfilled his promises, I will fulfil mine. When presenting my candidacy to the Executive Council in July, I outlined my vision for the Organisation, a vision that remains unchanged. As Director-General, I will accord the highest importance to upholding the norm against chemical weapons. Ensuring its long-term sustainability requires us to investigate all credible allegations of use, establish the scientific facts, and denounce all confirmed cases. Only in this way can we prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons, whether by non-State actors, through military planning, or on the battlefield. This is non-negotiable, as it touches the very core of the Convention. If we do not continue to be successful in this endeavour, the Convention risks becoming no more than the paper on which it is written. Further, I will ensure that the Secretariat remains fully equipped to carry out its mandate and continues to address both current and emerging priorities with effectiveness. In this context, I referred to a phrase that captures my approach to leadership well, one that I reaffirm today: I will always say what I do, and I will always do what I say. Before coming to an end, I wish to underline another important dimension of our work. Over the past decade, the need for the OPCW to adapt to new realities has been reiterated frequently. This was true when Director-General Arias addressed you eight years ago, and it remains true today. The world around us is evolving quickly. Meeting the demands of such a fast-changing environment requires adaptability and openness. But even as we adapt, we must remain firmly anchored in the guiding principles of the Convention. This commitment, to evolve while staying true to our mission, will guide us through the complex challenges ahead. To address those challenges, to fulfil the OPCW’s mandate, I will rely on your continued support. Today more than ever. I look forward to working closely with all of you beginning next summer. Thank you. ppuhm Wed 08/07/2026 - 09:07 24 November 2025 Director-General Sabrina Dallafior Off