Morocco begins new leadership term at global chemical weapons body

Tuesday 12 May 2026 - 10:53

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco begins new leadership term at global chemical weapons body

Morocco officially assumed the presidency of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on Monday for a one year mandate under the African Group, reinforcing the country’s growing diplomatic role in multilateral security institutions. The position will be held by Morocco’s ambassador to the Netherlands and permanent representative to the organization, Mohamed Basri.

The election was approved by acclamation in The Hague in March with unanimous backing from African member states that are party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as support from the broader Executive Council membership. The appointment marks Morocco’s second time leading the council after a previous term between 2021 and 2022.

Morocco has expanded its presence within the organization in recent years through several senior responsibilities. The country previously chaired the Conference of States Parties during the 2017 and 2018 period and later held multiple vice presidency positions between 2023 and 2026. The latest appointment reflects continued confidence in Morocco’s diplomatic engagement on issues tied to arms control and international security cooperation.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons was established to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention and now includes 193 member states. Since the treaty entered into force in 1997, the organization has overseen the verified destruction of declared chemical weapons stockpiles worldwide. Its efforts toward eliminating chemical weapons earned the organization the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.

Morocco signed the convention in 1993 and ratified it two years later. Moroccan authorities have repeatedly stated that the country has never possessed chemical weapons and remains committed to the peaceful use of chemistry and compliance with international non proliferation standards.

The new mandate comes as international institutions continue to face pressure over arms control enforcement, regional security tensions, and the monitoring of prohibited weapons programs. Morocco’s leadership of the Executive Council places the country at the center of ongoing diplomatic coordination related to chemical disarmament and treaty implementation.