Delhi: The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) received the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award on November 25 during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague.

This marks the first time a chemical industry body has been recognized with the award. The ceremony was attended by delegates from 193 member states and global chemical industry experts.

Ambassador Fernando Arias, OPCW Director-General, and Jan van Zanen, Mayor of The Hague, presented the award to ICC Director General D. Sothi Selvam. Indian dignitaries, including the Ambassador to OPCW and the Chairperson of India's National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC), were present.

Established in 2014 to preserve the legacy of OPCW's Nobel Peace Prize win, the award honors significant contributions toward the Chemical Weapons Convention's (CWC) objectives.

The ICC, representing over 80% of India's $220 billion chemical industry, was acknowledged for initiatives like the CWC Helpdesks, the 'Nicer Globe' transportation safety program, and the 'Responsible Care' program.

India, an original signatory to the 1997 CWC, continues to demonstrate leadership in chemical safety and compliance, contributing to a world free of chemical weapons.