November 30

Declared by the UN General Assembly in 2013, this day commemorates the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention on November 30, 1997. It pays tribute to all past and present victims of chemical weapons use and underscores the need to eliminate such arms. Ceremonies are held at the United Nations headquarters and at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. Memorial panels, moments of silence, and educational events raise awareness of the humanitarian impact of chemical warfare. The observance reinforces international cooperation for the non-proliferation and eventual total eradication of chemical weapons.