Mumbai, India – November 25, 2024: The Indian Chemical Council (ICC), the apex national body representing the $220-billion chemical and petrochemical industry in India has been honoured with the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award in recognition of its exceptional contribution towards achieving a world free of chemical weapons. The ICC is named as a co-recipient alongside the National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie (NICC/NG) of Algeria. The 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award, which acknowledges significant efforts to support the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), was announced by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
 

Image caption: Mr D Sothi Selvam, Director General, ICC receives the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award from Ambassador Fernando Arias, the Director General of OPCW and Mr Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of The Hague.

This award acknowledges the role played by ICC in promoting chemical safety, compliance with the convention, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India. Through initiatives like the Chemical Weapons Convention (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. ICC’s focus on enhancing industry security and advancing national implementation of the convention in one of the world’s largest chemical sectors, demonstrates an outstanding commitment to responsible industrial stewardship, and the aims of the CWC in this regard. This is the first time that the award recognises the efforts of a chemical industry body.

The 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award was held on November 25, 2024, during the 29th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention, held at the World Forum in The Hague. Mr D Sothi Selvam, Director General, ICC accompanied by Dr R Narayanan, Advisor-CWC Help Desks, ICC received the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award from Ambassador Fernando Arias, the Director General of OPCW and Mr Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of The Hague at a grand ceremony in the presence of all State Parties attending the Conference including India’s Ambassadorr & Permanent Representative to the OPCW and the Chairperson, National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), Government of India.
 

Image caption: Mr. D Sothi Selvam, Director General, ICC receives the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award from Mr Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of The Hague.

Ambassador Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General, congratulated ICC for its longstanding efforts in enhancing industry security and advancing national implementation of the convention. Ambassador Fernando Arias said, “The Indian Chemical Council has been a tireless champion for the peaceful application of the chemistry within the chemical Industry in India, through initiatives such as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Helpdesks and the Nicer Globe initiative for chemical safety and security in logistics. The Indian Chemical Council has been a leader in promoting chemical security and compliance with the convention. Its purpose on enhancing chemical security and advancing national implementation of the convention in India demonstrates an outstanding commitment to responsible industrial stewardship.”

“The OPCW – The Hague Award winners make real contribution to reducing the continuing threat caused by chemical weapons. Peace, Justice and Security are not given, they must be fought for. The OPCW along with this year’s winners actively contribute to that.” said Mr Jan van Zanen, the Mayor of the Hague congratulating the two winners of OPCW-The Hague Award 2024.

He also mentioned, “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.”
 

Image caption: Mr. D. Sothi Selvam, Director General of Indian Chemical Council (ICC), delivers his acceptance speech upon receiving the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award.
 

In acceptance of the honour, Director General of ICC, Mr D. Sothi Selvam said, “I am deeply humbled to receive the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award on behalf of the Indian Chemical Council (ICC). This honour not only recognizes the efforts of ICC but also underscores the importance of the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) and the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals of the Government of India for their unwavering support and guidance. OPCW’s tireless efforts to eliminate the chemical weapons and promote disarmament are a beacon of hope for a safer and more secure world.”

In his speech, Mr. D Sothi Selvam acknowledged the tireless efforts of NACWC, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, Mr. Kartik Bharat Ram, President of ICC, the other office bearers of ICC, the entire team of CWC Helpdesk personnel and ICC colleagues who have worked alongside. He congratulated the co-recipient of the 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award: The National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology of the National Gendarmerie of Algeria.

Mr. D Sothi Selvam added, “ICC’s role for the implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention through the CWC Help Desks with the support and guidance of NACWC has been greatly appreciated by the global chemical industry fraternity. The 2024 OPCW-Hague Award serves as a powerful reminder that our individual and collective efforts can make a meaningful difference.”
 

Image caption: Mr. D. Sothi Selvam, Director General, ICC, along with Dr. R. Narayanan, Advisor for CWC Help Desks, ICC, Ambassador Fernando Arias, Director General of the OPCW, Ambassadorr of India at Netherlands & permanent representative of OPCW and Chairperson, NACWC, Government of India.

In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. To preserve the legacy of this achievement, the OPCW established the OPCW-The Hague Award in collaboration with the Municipality of The Hague in 2014. The award recognises individuals and organisations that play a significant role in advancing the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).

As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the OPCW, with its 193 member states, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction. In 2023, the OPCW verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 — totalling 72,304 metric tonnes of chemical agents — have been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s strict verification regime. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.

ICC is a full member of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and the nodal agency implementing Responsible Care (RC) in India with nearly 100 RC logo companies. ICC introduced the Security Code of RC in 2019, a pioneering initiative promoting chemical security. ICC is also conducting a series of Security Vulnerability Assessment studies in the Chemical Industry. ICC’s initiative “Nicer Globe”, for enhancing chemical safety and security within India’s transportation network is a unique project offering real-time monitoring, tracking, and remote and on-site emergency response capabilities, covering large number of companies, logistics service providers, and drivers.

The ICC's role in assisting the government in the implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention through the outreach centres called the CWC Help Desks with the support of the NACWC has been greatly appreciated by the chemical industry fraternity and representatives of various countries during their visits to India. These CWC Help Desks have played a pivotal role in spreading awareness on chemical safety and security.

The CWC help desks work under the guidance of NACWC in complying with the technical and legal provisions of the CWC Act 2000, and provide the required guidance to the chemical industry across India in their convention compliance requirements. These efforts have earned ICC, this distinguished global recognition, marking a significant milestone in India’s role within the global non-proliferation framework. ICC has gratefully acknowledged the support provided by the Government of India in its efforts.