On April 29 each year, the anniversary of the CWC entry into force, the OPCW observes a day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare. Today is the 12th anniversary of the CWC and with the announcement of the Bahamas depositing its instrument of ratification last week, 188 nations are currently states parties to the convention.

UN Secrerary General Ban Ki-Moon sent a message acknowledging this day as “an occasion to recall some of the greatest atrocities in human history, to assess our progress in preventing any recurrence, and to pledge to continue advancing this cause in the future.”