OPCW is located in The Hague. It was established in 1997 after the entry into force of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. OPCW as the implementing body of the Convention strives to destroy all existing chemical weapons under international verification, to monitor compliance with the prohibition of use and production of chemical weapons, to provide assistance and protection against chemical weapons threats and to foster international cooperation to strengthen implementation of the Convention and promotion of the peaceful use of chemistry.

The Czech Republic as one of the OPCW founding member states and a current member of the OPCW Executive Council also regards the Nobel Peace Prize award as an encouragement to the Organization in its demanding task to destruct the stockpiles of chemical weapons in Syria, which was mandated by the OPCW Executive Council Decision of 27 September 2013 and the UN Security Council Resolution 2118 (2013). The Czech Republic is ready to contribute to this mission both with its capabilities in chemical defence and extraordinary financial contribution to the OPCW.