Which international treaty, adopted in 1997, aims to eliminate the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons?

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: (b) Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)

Explanation:

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty adopted in 1997 that aims to eliminate the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons globally. It is enforced by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which ensures compliance by conducting inspections, monitoring chemical industries, and verifying the destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles.

The treaty prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons and mandates that all member states destroy their existing stockpiles. As of today, 193 countries are signatories to the CWC, making it one of the most widely accepted disarmament agreements.

Information Booster:

● CWC was adopted in 1997 and is implemented by the OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).
● 193 countries have signed the treaty, with North Korea and Egypt being non-signatories.
● The United States and Russia have successfully destroyed most of their chemical weapon stockpiles under OPCW supervision.
● Syria faced international scrutiny for chemical weapon use despite being a signatory.
● The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

Additional Knowledge:

• (a) Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT): Incorrect; CTBT bans all nuclear weapon test explosions but does not deal with chemical weapons.
• (c) Biological Weapons Convention (BWC): Incorrect; BWC prohibits biological weapons, not chemical weapons.
• (d) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): Incorrect; NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, not chemical weapons.