Mohd Nasarudin Mohd Yusof

Mohd Nasarudin Mohd Yusof became the first Malaysian recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for his team’s extensive work to eliminate chemical weapons at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The OPCW is comprised of 193 sovereign states and serves to oversee the elimination of chemical weapons of its member states. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded months after the Ghouta chemical attack in Syria, which was as an unfortunate reminder of the power and presence of these types of weapons. 

Mohd Yusof and his team at the OPCW were instrumental in aiding the UN investigation which led to United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118. Adopted unanimously, the resolution laid the framework for the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons during the Syrian civil war.