Ban draws attention to chemical weapons

UNITED NATIONS, April 30 (UPI) -- The head of the United Nations is calling on the international community to strengthen efforts to prevent terrorists from obtaining chemical weapons.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday on the 22nd anniversary of the Chemical Weapons Convention entering into force said chemical weapons remain a threat to open societies and that more needs to be done to counter the potential of terrorists getting their hands on weapons of mass destruction, the United Nations reported.

Ban also marked the Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare Wednesday by calling on the international community to support the eradication of chemical weapons and said countries must strengthen measures to implement the mandates of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

"Governments, international organizations and the private sector must all join forces to translate the Convention's provisions into action," Ban said in a statement.