There are few honors as revered as being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. The Prize is awarded to those who have “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”  Past recipients include leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and Betty Williams.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2013 has been awarded to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for its “extensive efforts to eliminate weapons.”  The work of the OPCW has defined the use of these chemical weapons as a forbidden practice under international law.  Recent events in Syria demonstrate the importance of eliminating such weapons.  Hopefully the OPCW’s feat will inspire more people around the world to work toward the elimination of chemical weapons.

According to the New York Times, Ahmet Uzumcu, the general director of the organization, was “aware that [OPCW’s] work, silently but surely, was contributing to peace in the world.” He claims that winning the Nobel Peace Prize has “brought this to the fore.  The entire international community has been made aware of [OPCW’s] work.”

Since its creation, the organization has sent experts to carry out 5,000 inspections in 86 countries, working discreetly with the small number of countries that acknowledge possession of chemical weapons.

Prior to being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, the OPCW was not seen as a likely recipient. However, now that the organization is in the public eye, more are focused on the very real issue of chemical weapons in our world.