Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister addressed the OPCW, reaffirming the new Syrian Government’s commitment to eliminating chemical weapons and cooperating with the international community. This followed a previous visit by the OPCW Director-General to Syria, where plans for renewed collaboration were discussed. The OPCW continues to monitor Syria’s compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention amidst ongoing challenges.
On March 5, 2025, Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister, addressed the 108th session of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague. He highlighted the new Syrian Government’s commitment to reconstructing the country with transparency and justice while emphasizing cooperation with the international community.
Minister al-Shaibani reiterated the Syrian Government’s pledge to eradicate remnants of the chemical weapons program established under the previous regime, indicating a desire to end this painful chapter in Syria’s history. He expressed that achieving justice for the victims and ensuring adherence to international law requires collaboration with the OPCW and the international community.
This session follows OPCW Director-General Ambassador Fernando Arias’s visit to Damascus on February 8, 2025, where he engaged with interim President Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister al-Shaibani. Their discussions laid the groundwork for renewed cooperation in chemical weapons elimination efforts.
In his remarks, Director-General Arias welcomed the participation of the Syrian Foreign Minister, noting it reflects a strong determination from the new authorities to work with the OPCW in eliminating chemical weapons. He also highlighted a critical opportunity for the OPCW and the international community to assist in meeting Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The Director-General mentioned an upcoming deployment of OPCW technical experts to Damascus, indicating progress towards fulfilling the Syrian Arab Republic’s Chemical Weapons Convention commitments. Challenges remain, as the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team has struggled to confirm the accuracy of Syria’s initial declaration since its accession in 2013.
The OPCW has recorded instances of chemical weapon use attributed to the former Syrian Arab Armed Forces, prompting the suspension of some of Syria’s rights within OPCW policy-making organs. During his visit, Director-General Arias presented a 9-point Action Plan focusing on compliance and accountability related to Syria’s chemical weapons program.
The Executive Council oversees OPCW’s Technical Secretariat and strives to ensure effective implementation of the Convention. Syria, having joined the CWC in October 2013, previously removed and destroyed declared chemical weapons with the assistance of an OPCW-UN mission. However, questions about the original declaration’s completeness persist, necessitating ongoing OPCW missions to address these concerns.
The OPCW, an organization comprising 193 Member States, is charged with the global initiative to eliminate chemical weapon stockpiles, achieving significant milestones since the Convention’s implementation in 1997. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 in recognition of its efforts against chemical weapons proliferation.
In conclusion, Syria’s commitment to eliminate its chemical weapons program, as articulated by Foreign Minister al-Shaibani, signifies a crucial step forward in the nation’s reconstruction. With cooperation from the OPCW and the international community, there is hope for restoring transparency and justice in Syria. The OPCW’s oversight and the recent engagement by Syrian authorities highlight the collective efforts to ensure compliance with international norms regarding chemical weapons.
Original Source: www.opcw.org
