OPCW‘s Centre for Chemistry and Technology, located in Pijnacker-Nootdorp, Netherlands, near the Hague, was bustling with international high profile guests on 12 May, the day of its opening ceremony. All guests – amongst many others, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, as well as high-level representatives of OPCW member countries and organisations, including Floris Rutjes – were committed to a world without chemical weapons. Therefore, the opening of the centre was indeed cause for celebration, as it marked a significant milestone on the path towards achieving this goal. According to the OPCW, the 5,700m² centre will provide a platform to coordinate efforts between scientists, academia, civil society, industry, and relevant international organisations. Equipped with, amongst others, the OPCW Laboratory, a Technology and Training Hub, an instruction space, and advanced training facilities, spread out on 5,700m² of floorspace, it is considered an important extension of the capacities of OPCW.
As one of the contributors of the project, funded entirely by voluntary contributions, EuChemS was present since it’s inception – Floris Rutjes was also invited to represent EuChemS at the centre’s “First Pillar ceremony”. Alongside the Centre for Chemistry and Technology, EuChemS is involved with the OPCW in a number other areas. Most importantly, EuChemS continues to strongly support the OPCW’s key mission of prohibition of chemical weapons and practising ethical, responsible science. In addition, a speaker representing the OPCW Associate Programme participated in the recent EuChemS Global Womens’ Breakfast.