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Why did the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013?

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American soldiers in World War I uniforms, some wearing gas masks, advance with rifles during a simulated gas attack exercise on a rocky battlefield. — chemical weapon American soldiers participating in a simulated gas attack exercise, World War I.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

The Nobel Committee recognized the organization and the Chemical Weapons Convention for their role in establishing the use of chemical weapons as a "taboo under international law." At the time of the award, the OPCW was actively involved in the inspection and planned destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, a critical mission during that country's civil war.1

By enforcing the treaty, the OPCW works to ensure the nonproliferation of existing stockpiles, assist states in protection against attacks, and promote international cooperation in the peaceful use of chemistry. The organization is authorized to perform rigorous inspections to verify that signatory states comply with their commitment to destroy all chemical weapons stocks.1