The 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award Winners

The Hague, the Netherlands, 25 November 2024 - The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has announced the recipients of the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award. This year, the honour goes to ICC India Chemical Council and the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG) in Algeria. Both organisations have made notable contributions towards promoting chemical safety and security upholding the principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The award ceremony takes place this morning during the Organisation’s annual Conference of the States Parties in The Hague from 25 to 29 November 2024. 

The Director-General of the OPCW, Ambassador Fernando Arias remarked: “The OPCW-The Hague Award underscores the vital importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders in the pursuit of a world free of chemical weapons.This year’s recipients exemplify the breadth of this effort: Algeria’s National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie demonstrates the indispensable contribution of the OPCW Designated Laboratories in strengthening global capacity to detect and prevent the misuse of chemical substances, while the Indian Chemical Council highlights the critical role of the chemical industry in advancing responsible practices and ensuring that chemistry is only used for peaceful purposes."

Award and Recognition

The Mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen is part of the jury that selects the winners out of all candidates for the OPCW The Hague Award. "The winners of this year’s OPCW-The Hague Award reflect the remarkable global efforts needed to work towards a world free of chemical weapons. Their dedication and innovative approach are inspiring examples of how we can work together for a safer and more peaceful world. Together, we must continue to push forward, fostering collaboration and innovation to build a future rooted in global peace and security." 

The recipients of the OPCW-The Hague Award, will share the €90,000 award fund. This financial support is intended to further their efforts in promoting chemical safety and contributing to the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention. The award underscores the importance of their work in advancing chemical security and reducing risks at both national and international levels. 

Read the full press release here. 

About the ICC India Chemical Council

The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) is a chemical industry body recognised for its role in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC) and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India. Through initiatives like the CWC Helpdesks, ICC has increased industry compliance and facilitated efficient e-filing for chemical declarations. Additionally, ICC’s ‘Nicer Globe’ initiative has had a substantial impact on chemical transportation safety in India, offering real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities. ICC has conducted other activities to promote chemical safety and security through its ‘Responsible Care’ (RC) programme and the introduction of the Security Code of RC.  

About the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG), Algeria

The National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG) is a forensic science institute, operating under the National Gendarmerie of Algeria, its activities have focused on integrating scientific methods into judicial and criminal processes. Since 2014, it aimed to achieve OPCW-designated status, taking advantage of various OPCW capacity-building initiatives, undertaking fellowships at the Finnish Institute for Verification of the Chemical Weapons Convention (VERIFIN), engaging in an OPCW twinning project with the Bundeswehr Research Institute for Protective Technologies and CBRN Protection (WIS), and eventually achieving OPCW- designated status for analyzing authentic environmental samples in 2024 (the first African DL since 2006). Active in organising capacity-building activities with the OPCW, particularly in Africa, notably ‘CHEMEX Africa’ in 2023. The institute has also conducted a research project funded by the OPCW to enhance future capabilities in toxin analysis and contributes to the OCAD database annually. 

More about the OPCW-The Hague Award

The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its significant efforts to eliminate chemical weapons globally. To commemorate this recognition, the OPCW established the OPCW-The Hague Award in 2014, in partnership with the Municipality of The Hague. The award aims to honour individuals and organisations that have made outstanding contributions to achieving the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention and advancing chemical safety. https://www.opcw.org/opcw-hague-award

Read more about the OPCW and other inspiring stories from The Hague on Stories of Purpose.