The OPCW Director-General visited Syria to discuss the elimination of the country’s chemical weapons program after over eleven years of stalled progress. Meetings with Syrian authorities aimed to establish cooperation and compliance under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The OPCW presented a 9-point Action Plan to assist Syria in meeting its obligations and regaining its standing in the organization.
On February 8, 2025, OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias visited Syria at the invitation of the caretaker Foreign Minister. The visit aimed to discuss eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons with interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and caretaker Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani. This meeting marks a renewed effort to address the chemical weapons issue after over eleven years of stagnation.
During the discussions, both parties exchanged valuable information regarding Syria’s commitments under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). They also addressed the OPCW’s mandate and how the Technical Secretariat can assist Syria in dismantling its chemical weapons legacy. Director-General Arias noted the importance of this visit in establishing a working relationship moving forward.
Arias emphasized, “This visit marks a reset. After eleven years of obstruction by the previous authorities, the Syrian caretaker authorities have a chance to turn the page and meet Syria’s obligations under the Convention.” He reiterated that restoring trust is crucial for both the Syrian people and the international community.
Syria’s declaration of its chemical weapons has been incomplete since 2013, resulting in punitive measures by the OPCW. The Director-General presented a 9-point Action Plan that includes steps for inventorying chemical sites and ensuring long-term compliance with the CWC. He expressed eagerness to work with the Syrian authorities to resolve outstanding compliance issues.
The OPCW has ongoing missions, including the Declaration Assessment Team and the Investigation and Identification Team, to ensure Syria adheres to its obligations. With a total of 193 Member States, the OPCW oversees global efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. The organization was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize for its comprehensive disarmament initiatives.
Syria became a State Party to the Chemical Weapons Convention in October 2013, following a joint OPCW-UN mission that successfully disposed of declared chemical weapons by September 2014. However, questions regarding the completeness and accuracy of Syria’s declaration persisted, leading to restrictions on Syria’s rights within the OPCW since April 2021. The OPCW’s mandate is to facilitate the elimination of chemical weapons while ensuring compliance with the CWC among its 193 Member States.
The OPCW’s visit to Syria is a pivotal moment in addressing the longstanding chemical weapons issues that have persisted for over a decade. The newly established dialogue offers a potential path forward to meet Syria’s obligations under the CWC and rebuild trust between Syria and the international community. The emphasis on cooperation and compliance is essential for regional stability and accountability regarding chemical weapons use.
Original Source: www.opcw.org
