Citizen participation and the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGO) have been important in developing policy and implementing safe and effective elimination of chemical weapons stockpiles to meet the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Because of opposition to incineration of stockpiles in the United States, citizen advisory boards were established in legislation in the 1990s to promote collaborative decision-making related to environmentally sound cleanup of chemical weapons and toxic chemicals. Although the chemical industry and scientists have been included in the work of the Technical Secretariat of the CWC since it began in 1997, participation of other members of civil society grew more slowly over time. After support from two Director Generals of the Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the CWC Coalition was established in 2009–10. Since the Third Review Conference in 2013, Coalition members have presented plenary statements and coordinated side events at each of the annual Conference of State Parties (CSP) and Five-Year Review Conferences. Financial and other support is required to sustain strong NGO participation from all parts of the world and ensure the participation of NGOs in important CWC issues during and between the CSPs. Recommendations are presented for future robust participation of NGOs and other members of civil society in OPCW deliberations and implementation of the CWC in National Authorities to sustain a world free of chemical weapons.