HQ_of_OPCW_in_The_Hague_headquarters of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The Hague was chosen as the location for the seat of the organization after a successful lobby by the Dutch government, competing against Vienna and Geneva. The headquarters were officially opened by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands on 20 May 1998. An eight-story building built in a semi-circle, the OPCW headquarters building was designed by American architect Gerhard Kallmann of Kallmann McKinnell & Wood. A permanent memorial to all victims of chemical weapons is present at the back of the building and open to the public.

The organisation is not an agency of the United Nations, but cooperates both on policy and practical issues. On 7 September 2000 the OPCW and the United Nations signed a cooperation agreement outlining how they were to coordinate their activities. The inspectors furthermore travel on United Nations Laissez-Passer in which a sticker is placed explaining their position, and privileges and immunities. The United Nations Regional Groups also operate at the OPCW.

further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OPCW