"The recognition that the peace prize brings will spur us to untiring efforts, even stronger commitment and greater dedication," OPCW Director General Ahmet Uzumcu said in a statement, adding that his organisation was “pleasantly surprised” by the news. "I truly hope that this award and the OPCW's ongoing mission, together with the United Nations in Syria will help broader efforts to achieve peace in that country," Xinhua quoted him as saying in the statement. The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Friday that the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the OPCW "for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons".

Stating that disarmament figured prominently in Alfred Nobel’s will, the committee stated that it had, through numerous prizes, underlined the need to do away with nuclear weapons. "By means of the present award to the OPCW, the committee is seeking to contribute to the elimination of chemical weapons," a committee press release stated. During World War I, it said, chemical weapons were used to a considerable degree. The Geneva Convention of 1925 prohibited the use, but not the production or storage, of chemical weapons. During World War II, chemical means were employed in Hitler’s mass exterminations. Chemical weapons have subsequently been put to use on numerous occasions by both states and terrorists. In 1992-93, a convention was drawn up prohibiting the production and storage of such weapons. It came into force in 1997. Since then, The Hague-based OPCW has, through inspections, destruction and by other means, sought the implementation of the convention. In all, 189 states have acceded to the convention till date, the press release added.