The United Nations encourages all its members to ratify the OPCW's 1993 convention, which aims to eliminate chemical weapons by 2007. Tonga will be the 153rd member when it joins on June 28.

Joining the organisation will enable Tonga, a South Pacific archipelago with a population of 100,000, to receive assistance from fellow signatories in case of chemical attack.

The OPCW is responsible for the implementation of a Chemical Weapons Convention, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1992.

The convention prohibits all development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons.

It requires each member state to destroy chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities that it may have.

The convention was opened for signature in 1993 and came into force in 1997.

The OPCW is mandated to ensure the implementation of its provisions, including those for international verification of compliance, and to provide a forum for consultation and cooperation among members.

WAR.WIRE