21/10/2026
The importance of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in preventing the production and use of weapons of mass destruction and ensuring chemical security, and how the Philippines translates its commitment with the CWC into concrete national actions were highlighted by Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya in his presentation at the opening plenary session of the “Southeast Asia Chemical Security Forum 2026: Translating Science into Policy” held on 20 October 2026 at the Clark Marriott Hotel in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines.
“Though there has been unprecedented progress in the field of arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament, including the complete dismantling of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles, significant works remain. There is the need to prevent possible access to chemical weapons by terrorist groups and to address the significant risks brought about by the rise of AI, among others. Renewed commitment to the CWC and to the OPCW and similar initiatives by all countries and other stakeholders, including those at the local and regional levels, is necessary,” Ambassador Malaya said.
Ambassador Malaya spoke at the forum in his capacity as the Philippine Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is headquartered in The Hague, and having worked closely with relevant government agencies and entities in securing the recent passage of Republic Act No. 12174 or the Chemical Weapons Prohibition Act (CWC Act).
The well-attended international forum, being held from 20-24 October, was organized by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) - the Philippine National Authority for the Chemical Weapons Convention, and the University of the Philippines College of Medicine (UPMC) CBRN Health Security Initiative, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Arms Control and Nonproliferation (ACN) and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and implementing partner the Health Security Partners (HSP). It brings together key chemical security stakeholders from government agencies, academia, and the chemical industries across Southeast Asia.
In his presentation, Ambassador Malaya highlighted the Philippines’ full compliance with Article VII of the CWC, with the enactment of the CWC Act in April 2025. He also cited the Philippines pro-active engagements with the OPCW, notably in the field of international cooperation and assistance and capacity-building, with Manila having hosted three OPCW regional trainings for Asian Member States in the past two years.
The Philippines served as Coordinator of the Asia Group in the OPCW from 2019 to 2026, Member of the Executive Council for four terms, and the Council’s Chairperson in 2007–2008.
The forum commemorates 20 years of Philippines-U.S. counterproliferation cooperation and provides a platform for sharing best practices and advancing discussions on chemical security advocacy, public-private partnerships, and regulatory enforcement. The Philippines’ hosting of the forum also marked the launch of a multi-year rotational initiative aimed at strengthening regional collaboration on chemical security in the ASEAN region. // END
