OPCW–The Hague Award

OPCW–The Hague Award
The OPCW–The Hague Award is an annual award founded by the OPCW as a result of their being presented with the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize. The purpose of the Award is to honour and recognize individuals and institutions that have significantly contributed towards the goal of a world free of chemical weapons.
| Sl | Name | Country | Flag | Year | Awarded For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | Ichiro Akiyama | Japan | 2025 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 16 | Kenneth Ward | United States | 2025 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 15 | Torben Mikkelsen | Denmark | 2025 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 14 | Algeria’s National Institute of Criminalistics and Criminology | Algeria | 2024 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 13 | Indian Chemical Council | India | 2024 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 12 | Population Protection Institute, Fire Rescue Service of the Czech Republic | Czech Republic | 2022 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 11 | Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition | Netherland | 2022 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 10 | Special Risks Brigade of the Federal Police of Argentina | Argentina | 2022 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 9 | International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry | Switzerland | 2019 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 8 | Cheng Tang | China | 2019 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 7 | Robert Mikulak | Netherland | 2019 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 6 | International Master Courses in Protection Against CBRNe Events | Italy | 2017 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 5 | African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT) | Algeria | 2017 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 4 | Dr Alastair Hay | Australia | 2015 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 3 | Dr Mahdi Balali-Mood | Iran | 2015 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 2 | VERIFIN | Virgin Island | 2014 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. | |
| 1 | Dr Robert Mathews | Australia | 2014 | for outstanding contributions to achieving a world free of chemical weapons. |

OPCW–The Hague Award Laureates (2030 ~ 2021)

Ichiro Akiyama
OPCW–The Hague Award 2025
Dr Ichiro Akiyama of Japan has made a significant and enduring contribution to the mission of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) throughout his career. With a PhD in Chemistry, he participated in the CWC negotiation process at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva from 1982 to 1992 and contributed his expertise to its final outcome. In 1995, Dr Akiyama played a crucial leadership role in response to the Tokyo subway sarin attack, the first large scale chemical terrorism incident. Dr Akiyama served as the first OPCW Director of the Inspectorate Division from 1997 to 2002, and again from 2004 to 2009, during which he was instrumental in operationalising the CWC’s verification regime, establishing its technical operational framework, and standardising procedures for inspections.

Kenneth Ward
OPCW–The Hague Award 2025
Ambassador Kenneth Ward of the United States of America has been devoted to advancing chemical weapons disarmament and non-proliferation in a range of important and senior roles over 30 years. As the Permanent Representative of the United States to the OPCW from 2016 to 2020, he played a leading role in decision-making processes related to the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria and advocated for accountability in situations of chemical weapons use. Ambassador Ward was also instrumental in mobilising resources to strengthen the OPCW’s investigative and capacity building efforts.

Torben Mikkelsen
OPCW–The Hague Award 2025
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Toben Mikkelsen of Denmark played an important role in the multinational maritime task force that removed chemical agents from Syria in 2013 and 2014, and from Libya in 2016, under the auspices of the United Nations-OPCW Joint Mission. These complex removal operations stand as remarkable examples of multilateral cooperation for international peace and security. The outstanding operational leadership by Rear Admiral Mikkelsen was crucial to their success. Under his command, nearly 1,000 tons of chemical agents in 181 containers were retrieved and transported out of Syria, and 23 containers of chemical agents were securely transported out of Libya for destruction.
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NICC/NG
OPCW–The Hague Award 2024
NICC/NG is a forensic science institute focused on advancing crime-fighting capabilities by integrating scientific methods into judicial and criminal processes. In 2024, following a rigorous certification process, NICC/NG joined OPCW’s global Designated Laboratories network, bolstering chemical security across the continent and contributing to international non-proliferation efforts. NICC/NG became the first laboratory in Africa to achieve OPCW Designated Laboratory status since 2006.The National Institute has distinguished itself as a top forensic laboratory contributing significantly to chemistry for peace in Africa. In recent years, it has played a vital role in promoting regional capacity-building efforts by supporting key initiatives such as the CHEMEX Africa exercise in October 2023.

Indian Chemical Council
OPCW–The Hague Award 2024
ICC is a chemical industry body recognised for its role 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. Their 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.

Chemical Weapons Coalition
OPCW–The Hague Award 2022
Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition (CWCC) is an independent, international civil society network with more than 200 members from diverse organisations around the world to support the aims of the CWC and to supplement the efforts of OPCW Member States in implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention

OPCW–The Hague Award Laureates (2020 ~ 2011)

IUPAC
OPCW–The Hague Award 2019
The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is an international federation of chemists that was established in 1919. Consisting of members, associates, and affiliate institutions from around the world, the organisation played an instrumental role in the development and promotion of The Hague Ethical Guidelines on Chemistry.

Robert Mikulak
OPCW–The Hague Award 2019
Dr Robert Mikulak is an eminent expert on chemical and biological weapons arms control, Dr Mikulak has made substantial contributions to chemical disarmament through his extensive involvement in the negotiations of the CWC, and his work as the US representative to the OPCW Preparatory Committee.
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Protection Against CBRNe Events
OPCW–The Hague Award 2017
International Master Courses in Protection Against CBRNe Events at the University of Rome Tor Vergata the master courses from the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention contribute to the promotion of the peaceful uses of chemistry among a new generation of CBRNe experts.









