In his opening remarks, Director-General Arias reminded the Council that, up until today (December 12, 2024), Syria had not declared its full chemical weapons programme and that chemical weapons had been used in Syria on multiple occasions.
The OPCW held an extraordinary meeting to address Syria’s incomplete declaration and ongoing use of chemical weapons.
Director General Arias emphasised eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons programme and ensuring accountability for violations.
Despite 11 years of effort, significant gaps remain.
Plans include deploying experts to Syria when the security situation permits.
“In the past days, the Secretariat has been closely monitoring the situation in Syria with special attention to the status of its chemical weapons-related sites,” said Director-General Arias. “The political and security situation in the country remains volatile.” He added: “The ultimate goal is to achieve the complete elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme, and to take part in the process of the international accountability of the former Syrian government and any other identified perpetrators.”
The process began 11 years ago when Syria first acceded to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in September 2013.
The OPCW Technical Secretariat, through its Declaration Assessment Team (DAT), has been working over the years to address gaps, discrepancies, and inconsistencies in Syria’s initial declaration submitted to the OPCW in 2013. Despite these efforts, significant concerns persist regarding the accuracy and completeness of the declaration, as well as the fate of substantial quantities of unaccounted-for chemical weapons. These unresolved issues remain a major obstacle to verifying the full dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons programme.
During the same period, the OPCW Technical Secretariat and other independent international investigative bodies have documented and investigated the use of toxic chemicals as weapons in Syria. The OPCW’s findings play a crucial role in supporting accountability for violations of international law and committed atrocities involving the use of toxic chemicals as a weapon.
Director-General Arias informed the Council that, once communication with the new interlocutors in Syria would be established and as soon as the security situation allows it, the next step would be for the OPCW to send a team of experts from the Secretariat to Syria. The Director-General said this would allow the OPCW to collect all relevant information on the current situation regarding chemical weapons-related sites and to assess the work necessary as we move forward.
He added that, while the challenge the Organisation faced today was similar in nature to the one in 2013, when Syria acceded to the Convention, “the main difference is that, today, we are much better prepared to face such a challenge.”
As a State Party to the Convention, Syria has committed to never posses or use chemical weapons, to submit complete declarations related to its chemical weapons programme and to cooperate with the OPCW. Under international law, these legal obligations remain valid regardless of any change in government. The Director-General stated: “Today, after 11 years at the OPCW, this Member State now needs to come into full compliance and, at last, fulfil all its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, relinquishing what is left of its chemical weapons programme”
The OPCW Technical Secretariat remains committed to engaging with the relevant Syrian authorities and international partners to help Syria complete the elimination of its chemical weapons programme.
Achieving full compliance will safeguard the Syrian population, participate in the process of bringing justice to the victims by ensuring that those identified for committing these attacks are held accountable. It will also contribute to regional stability and the global mission of eradicating chemical weapons. This progress represents a crucial step towards enduring peace and a safer, chemical weapons-free world.
The Council will remain seized with the matter.
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Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
