Duitse Ambassade Den Haag / Deutsche Botschaft Den Haag

28/08/2026

05/08/2026

Hello! I am Ambassador Gudrun Lingner and, in a few moments, I’m going to present my letter of credentials as the new Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, that’s the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. I will have the honor to meet the OPCW Director General, Ambassador Sabrina Dallafior, to whom I will hand over the signed confirmation letter from my government that empowers me to vote and to work within the political structures of the OPCW on behalf of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The goal of the OPCW is to hold up and implement the Chemical Weapons Convention in order to achieve a world free from chemical weapons. Since its beginnings in the 1990ies, the OPCW has become one of the world’s most successful disarmament organizations: It has 193 member states, and it has verified the destruction of the totality of declared stockpiles of cold-war era chemical weapons. For its extensive and very successful efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
Germany is the fourth-largest financial contributor to the OPCW and one of only a few states to have a Permanent Representation dedicated to only this Organization.
I am very much looking forward to working together with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and all other OPCW States Parties. Together, we must make sure that the prohibition of chemical weapons is implemented effectively, universally and at all times.
Chemical plants world-wide must be verified and inspected so that no large-scale production of chemical weapons could go undetected. And finally, we must also ensure the destruction of old and abandoned chemical weapons that have been buried in the ground decades ago.
Defending the ban on chemical weapons is an hugely important task, as new challenges arise. Together with my capable team, we are very proud and happy to contribute to the international efforts. I look forward to engaging with the OPCW and all our friends and partners to make - and to keep - the world a safer place.

01/08/2026

30/07/2026

17/07/2026

🇩🇪 Ambassador Schieb is bidding farewell to The Hague after four intensive years – one of them as Chairperson of the OPCW Executive Council.
During this time, the OPCW achieved significant progress: the destruction of Assad’s chemical weapons programme is progressing, a new Director-General was nominated by consensus, at the same time, considerable challenges remain, particularly with regard to accountability for violations of the CWC. Picture © OPCW

15/07/2026

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an international organization responsible for implementing and overseeing the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force in 1997. It oversees the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, thereby making a significant contribution to international peace and security. The OPCW is headquartered in The Hague.

The Permanent Representation of Germany to the OPCW represents Germany’s interests within the Organization and actively promotes the worldwide implementation and enforcement of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

14/07/2026

During the 112th Session of the Executive Council of the OPCW, held from 7 to 10 July in The Hague, the Executive Council reinstated Syria’s Rights and Privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which had been suspended since 2021. The decision was co-sponsored by 67 States Parties from different regional groups and adopted by consensus.

In our National Statement, Ambassador Thomas Schieb, Permanent Representative of Germany to the OPCW, welcomed the joint international efforts to eliminate the remnants of the Assad regime’s chemical weapons programme in Syria. He acknowledged the significant progress achieved by Syria towards achieving full compliance with the Convention.

Ambassador Schieb further emphasized that all States Parties share a responsibility to uphold and defend the global norm against chemical weapons use. He underlined the importance of the OPCW continuing to implement its mandate vigorously, in terms of attribution of responsibility and identification of perpetrators in all cases of chemical weapons use.

We wish to thank the outgoing Director-General Arias for his unwavering commitment to fulfilling the convention’s provisions, his leadership and contributions to the OPCW, amongst them the creation of the Center for Chemistry and Technology.

As her tenure is set to begin, Germany looks forward to working with the incoming Director-General, Ambassador Sabrina Dallafior, in advancing the Organisation’s mission.

13/07/2026

Welcome to The Hague!

On July 8, 2026, the German Embassy hosted a Welcome Drink for German-speaking participants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland attending this year´s Summer Course at the Hague Academy of International Law. Just like every year, this event provided the perfect opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and connect over a refreshing drink—setting the stage for three exciting weeks ahead! Being one of the world’s leading institutions for international law, the Academy attracts top legal minds from around the globe. Its annual Summer and Winter Courses, taught by distinguished legal scholars, continue to shape the future of international law.

13/07/2026

Welcome to The Hague!

On July 8, 2026, the German Embassy hosted a Welcome Drink for German-speaking participants from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland attending this year´s Summer Course at the Hague Academy of International Law. Just like every year, this event provided the perfect opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and connect over a refreshing drink—setting the stage for three exciting weeks ahead!Being one of the world’s leading institutions for international law, the Academy attracts top legal minds from around the globe. Its annual Summer and Winter Courses, taught by distinguished legal scholars, continue to shape the future of international law.

09/07/2026

Wij verwelkomen onze nieuwe ambassadeur.