The United Nations High Representative for Disarmament Affairs sent a message of greeting at the launch of the new CBWNet competence network, thanking the new civil society initiative for hosting the event. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention, Izumi Nakamitsu cautioned that violations of the chemical weapons ban must not go unanswered. She said it is important to identify those responsible for such use, but the perpetrators must then also be held accountable.

Read the keynote address here.