The Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the Government of the People's Republic of China co-organized an international workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) and chemical security management in Shanghai from 17-20 June 2025.
The four-day workshop brought together a considerable number of participants and observers, including senior policymakers, science experts and industry officials from 29 state parties in all regional groups. 12 experienced experts from 11 organizations, including representatives from China, other countries and international organizations who cooperated with the event.
Through featured lectures, roundtable discussions and on-site visits, participants will be able to explore AI development and governance in detail, through the opportunities and challenges placed on the implementation of the Chemical, Chemical Research, the Chemical Industry, and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
Under the theme of “Strengthening the role of AI for Good and for all: for for forning of the Chemical Weapons Convention,” the workshop served as a platform for governments to gain insights into valuable tools and knowledge for developing and applying AI technologies in the context of peaceful use of chemistry. The workshop also helped to strengthen our ability to hold conventions and engage in global AI governance.
In his opening remarks, he was Zhang Yunming, China's Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology, highlighting the supportive role of AI in CWC implementation, and outlined China's position to utilize science and technology to enhance chemical safety and security. He submitted three important proposals. First, to support multilateralism and to build a global consensus on treaty compliance. Second, to promote fair and comprehensive cooperation to strengthen CWC compliance-related capacity buildings. Special attention must be paid to the needs of developing countries. Third, it is to create a reliable, controllable governance ecosystem by promoting the responsible use of science and technology.
Ambassador Fernando Alias, Director of OPCW, gave his first speech at the workshop. He emphasized the importance of assessing and addressing the risks that AI could pose to implement treaties, particularly the threat of misuse by non-state actors, whilst acknowledging the ability of AI to accelerate scientific and technological advances and improve production and safety within the chemical industry.
The Director said, “OPCW has taken a proactive approach in this regard. Recent initiatives include the “AI Research Agenda,” the establishment of a temporary working group on AI, and the 2024 Global Conference held in Morocco in particular. The organization's commitment to leverage emerging technologies for the benefit of all parties. ”
He expressed his confidence that the results of the workshop will “contribute to ongoing discussion within the organization, and in the long run, serve as pilots to develop capacity building programs on AI and chemical safety and security, and ultimately to strengthen the collective capabilities of state parties to prevent the reemergence of chemical weapons in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Other senior officials attending the workshop opening ceremony included Shanghai Mayor Chen Ji. He is Ambassador Tan Jiang, who is the permanent representative of China at OPCW. OPCW's Deputy Director, Ambassador Odette Melono. Representatives from the Chinese national authorities were also present.
background
The international workshop is based on a set of initiatives aimed at improving OPCW's understanding of AI and its meaning. These include the 2024 AI Experts Council, the OPCW AI Challenge, the 2024 Global Conference on AI, and the Chemical Weapons Convention held in Rabat, Morocco, and the establishment by the Director of the Temporary Working Group (TWG) of the Scientific Advisory Committee on AI (SAB).
The workshop addressed emerging security risks related to AI, including threats to chemical supply chain integrity, cyber vulnerabilities, and the potential misuse of advanced technologies in illegal chemical activities or terrorism. Participants also looked at the rapid development of AI technology and the evolving global governance environment, paying particular attention to China's best practices and regulatory approaches.
As the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, together with 193 member states, oversees global efforts to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the treaty came into effect in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty that eliminates an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the OPCW confirmed that all chemical weapon stockpiles that 193 countries have declared in the Chemical Weapons Convention since 1997 – a total of 72,304 meters of chemicals – were irreversibly destroyed under the strict verification system of OPCW.
For its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons, OPCW was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
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