Syria signals renewed cooperation on chemical weapons destruction

This article is published in association with United Nations.

Progress continues to be made towards eliminating remnants of the chemical weapons programme in Syria that was developed under the Assad regime, the UN Security Council heard on Thursday.

Adedeji Ebo, Officer-in-Charge of the UN’s Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), welcomed a commitment by the new authorities to cooperate with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

He delivered the latest monthly briefing on engagement between Syria and the UN partner which began more than a decade ago following a Sarin nerve gas attack in the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, that killed hundreds.

In response, the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2118 (2013) which called for the speedy implementation of procedures drawn up by the OPCW “for the expeditious destruction” of Syria’s verified chemical weapons programme.

Seeking clarification, ensuring compliance 

Mr. Ebo recalled that since 2014, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has not been able to confirm that the declaration submitted by the previous government was accurate and complete as it contained insufficient and inaccurate information. 

The experts were concerned about large quantities of potentially undeclared or unverified chemical warfare agents and chemical munitions.  

“The new Syrian Government has been working with the OPCW Technical Secretariat to obtain clarifications on the full extent and scope of the programme developed” during the Assad regime, so it can comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention, he said.  

The OPCW oversees implementation of the 1992 treaty aimed at eliminating this entire category of weapons of mass destruction.   Mr. Ebo briefs the Security Council.

Site visits 

The Technical Secretariat’s latest report underscored that in addition to the 26 declared chemical weapons sites in Syria, information received suggests that more than 100 other sites may have been involved in the former government’s chemical weapons-related activities. 

Teams plan to visit all these locations, bearing in mind security and other considerations. 

Since last March, teams have visited 19 locations, four of which were previously declared. They also conducted interviews with former chemical weapons experts and collected six samples as well as over 6,000 documents. 

Further deployments are being planned, including the possibility of visiting several high-priority chemical weapons-related locations in the coastal and northern areas close to Latakia.   

International support needed 

Mr. Ebo also highlighted other recent concrete steps, including the re-establishment of a continuous presence of the OPCW Mission in Syria. 

He reminded the Council that significant challenges lie ahead, and consistent support from the entire international community will be critical to efforts to rid the country of all chemical weapons.  

In November, the OPCW Director-General wrote to members of its Executive Council transmitting a needs and gaps assessment that will inform countries and other parties willing to offer support. 

“I have been informed that the OPCW Technical Secretariat has been supporting and advising the Syrian Arab Republic, and other States Parties…Destruction might need to be carried out on-site where conditions require it,” he said.  

The Executive Council recently endorsed the measure, which constitutes a positive step forward, he added. 

‘A critical opportunity’ 

Mr. Ebo told ambassadors the Technical Secretariat remains committed to delivering on its mandate to verify Syria’s full implementation of all declaration requirements under the Convention, decisions by the OPCW policy-making organs, and Security Council resolutions. 

“I would also reiterate that the commitment of the new Government in Syria to fully and transparently cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is both welcome and commendable,” he added, while also commending Syrian teams working on the great at great physical risk.  

“As I have previously emphasised, there is currently a critical opportunity to obtain long-overdue clarifications on the full extent and scope of the Syrian chemical weapons programme and to rid the country of all chemical weapons,” he continued. 

He again urged Council members “to unite and show leadership in providing the support that this unprecedented effort will require.”