Syria’s Caretaker Foreign Minister Addresses OPCW Executive…

Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister, Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, addressed the OPCW’s Executive Council, highlighting the new government’s determination to eliminate the chemical weapons programme from the Assad regime. Minister al-Shaibani and OPCW leaders emphasized the need for international support and cooperation to ensure compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. A 9-point Action Plan was presented to advance these efforts, leveraging the evolving political landscape for renewed collaboration.

On March 5, 2025, in The Hague, Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister Mr. Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani addressed the 108th session of the Executive Council at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Minister al-Shaibani highlighted the new Syrian Government’s commitment to rebuilding a transparent and just Syria in collaboration with the international community.

He affirmed, “our commitment today at the Executive Council is to destroy any remains of the chemical weapons programme developed under the Assad regime, to bring justice to victims, and to ensure that compliance with international law is a solid one.” He emphasized the vital need for international support in this endeavor, particularly from the OPCW, to progress towards the elimination of chemical weapons.

The Minister’s participation follows the recent visit by OPCW Director-General Ambassador Fernando Arias to Damascus on February 8, 2025, where discussions with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Minister al-Shaibani set the stage for renewed collaboration. Director-General Arias welcomed the Minister’s presence, stating it demonstrates the new Syrian authorities’ strong commitment to work with the OPCW.

Arias noted that the current political climate in Syria presents a unique chance for the OPCW and the international community to finalize the elimination of chemical weapons, with steps underway to assist the new authorities in fulfilling their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. A team of technical experts from the OPCW Technical Secretariat is expected to be deployed to Damascus shortly after the Executive Council session.

The OPCW has faced challenges since Syria’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention in October 2013, as the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) has been unable to verify the accuracy of the initial declaration. The OPCW Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) have documented multiple chemical weapons attacks involving the former Syrian Arab Armed Forces, leading to restrictions on Syria’s rights within OPCW bodies.

During the visit to Damascus, Director-General Arias presented a 9-point Action Plan to the Syrian authorities, outlining steps towards compliance including inventory compilation, declaration of chemical programme elements, and verification processes. The Executive Council oversees the Technical Secretariat’s activities and ensures effective adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention, which Syria joined in 2013.

To achieve the Convention’s goals, three OPCW missions actively work on related matters: the Declaration Assessment Team, the Fact-Finding Mission, and the Investigation and Identification Team. The OPCW has successfully overseen the elimination of 72,304 metric tonnes of declared chemical agents since the Convention’s enforcement in 1997 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts.

In summary, the address by Syria’s caretaker Foreign Minister at the OPCW’s Executive Council underlines the government’s renewed approach towards transparency and accountability in dismantling its chemical weapons programme. The collaborative efforts with the OPCW are pivotal in addressing past challenges and moving towards compliance with international law, providing a significant opportunity for constructive engagement in the ongoing disarmament process.

Original Source: www.opcw.org