Concerning the invitation extended by OPCW Director General to the Minister for Foreign Matters and Expatriates of Syria to an in-person meeting, he noted that, while the Specialized Secretariat was still awaiting a response from Syria within the latest version of the plan submitted in December 2021, Damascus suggested a preliminary conference in Beirut. As Council members were previously informed, since then, communication between the focal points in charge of the preparations for the meeting between the OPCW Director General and the Syrian minister has been reinitiated with the OPCW Secretariat and Syria has responded, he said. With regard to the Tripartite Agreement concluded among OPCW, United Nations Office for Task Services (UNOPS) and Syria, he said it is his understanding that, on 8 December 2022, all parties completed an extension for a period of 6 months, covering from 1 January up to and including 30 June. RICHARD M. GENERATORS, JR. ( Usa ) said it is tragically fitting that the Council starts the new year yet again handling the Assad’s regime repeated use of chemical weapons and it is failure to comply with the obligations under the Convention upon Chemical Weapons and resolution 2118 (2013). On the positive note, the Announcement Assessment Team will be in Syria soon, he said, spotlighting that the Assad routine has yet to provide a reputable explanation for the two chlorine cylinders, implicated in the chemical substance weapons attack on Duma. Moreover, the routine has yet to provide documents, requested by the Declaration Assessment Team since 2019, which may shed light on the regime’s chemical weapons programme overall. Despite Moscow’s repeated assertions that OPCW’S Director-General have not met with the Assad regime, he said the regime has stalled the booking of such meetings since June 2021. OPCW and the United Nations have independently concluded that the regime has used chemical weapons upon eight occasions, he true, calling on Syria to comply with its obligations and immediately cease its obstructions of the OPCW Expert Team so the issue of chemical weapons use by the country is resolved once and for all. FERGUS JOHN ECKERSLEY ( United Kingdom ), worrying the importance of the Convention on Chemical Weapons, as well as resolution 2118 (2013), said that shared investigations by OPCW as well as the United Nations confirmed that the Syrian regime used chemical weaponry, including chlorine and sarin, on at least eight occasions. Syria has given that done everything possible to deflect and deny genuine efforts to resolve the many serious gaps in its Chemical Weapons Declaration and continues to display contempt for its obligations under the Convention and the resolution. “It is not too late to show this around, ” this individual said, welcoming the Technical Secretariat’s latest initiative to deliver a reduced team to Syria in January. Calling for the full implementation associated with resolution 2118 (2013), he or she said this means the complete damage of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile and accountability for use. HERNÁN PÉREZ LOOSE ( Ecuador ), expressing regret over the lack of progress, said it was unacceptable that nine years after Syria acceded to the Convention on Chemical Weapons, its nationwide declaration cannot be considered accurate and complete. He called on the authorities to remain committed to implementation of their obligations plus urged them to cooperate with OPCW and the technical investigation team. Noting that chemical weapons incidents must be addressed transparently, he remarked that non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is one associated with Ecuador’s priorities for its 2023-2024 mandate and underscored the country’s historical commitment in order to disarmament will guide its contribution to the Council. The meeting began on 10: 01 a. m. and ended at eleven: 16 a. m. In the ensuing discussion, loudspeakers welcomed the Council’s brand new non-permanent members, Ecuador, The japanese, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland, and once again condemned any use of chemical weapons. Several members reiterated their particular concern about the ongoing insufficient progress on the file and called on Syria’s complete cooperation with OPCW, while others questioned the utility from the monthly meetings on the issue. VANESSA FRAZIER ( Malta ) called for the universalization of the global norm on the prohibition of chemical weapons, that is underpinned by the Chemical Weapons Convention. “There cannot be a justification for the use of these types of abhorrent weapons, ” the girl asserted, urging Syria to cooperate with OPCW and resolve all the pending queries related to its initial Announcement. Syria must support its obligations under the Conference, she said, voicing feel dissapointed that the list of pending declarations requested by the Declaration Assessment Team since 2019 have never yet been provided by the country, and that what has been submitted is inaccurate and imperfect. Against this backdrop, the girl called on Syria to cooperate with the Declaration Assessment Team so that consultations can take place. In closing, he said: “Any use of chemical weapons is unacceptable, and the absence of accountability for your use is a threat to international peace and safety and a danger to us all. It is, therefore , essential to hold accountable all those who does dare to use chemical weaponry. As we start 2012, I state my sincere hope that members of the Council will unite on this issue. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs stands ready to provide what ever support and assistance it may. ” ARIAN SPASSE ( Albania ) said the Assad regime’s repeated use of chemical weapons against civilians is an afront to the most basic rules of international society and should be met by the Council’s decisive action. Syria’s persistent lack of cooperation with OPCW is unacceptable, this individual added, calling on Syria in order to cooperate promptly and truthfully with the organization. Expressing his full support for that objective, impartial and expert work of the OPCW groups, he welcomed the decision adopted by the twenty-fifth Conference associated with States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention suspending the particular voting rights and liberties of the Syrian regime because of its non-compliance with the Convention. The use of chemical weapons by the regime in Syria is a horrific event that must unite the international community towards these weapons and keep those responsible to accounts, he said. GHASAQ YOUSIF ABDALLA SHAHEEN ( United Arab Emirates ) noted that will, while the Convention on Chemical substance Weapons enjoys a broad general opinion in the international community, the particular Syrian chemical file is certainly, unfortunately, one of the most politicized data files on the Council. Condemning the use of chemical weapons, for any reason, by anyone, anywhere, the girl stressed that making real progress on this file requires engaging in constructive dialogue. Calling for communication and dialogue, she called to the parties to work in a nature based on the principles upon which OPCW was established in its technical nature, which includes a consensus-based approach and non-politicization. The lady also welcomed the agreement to send a reduced team in order to conduct limited activities within Syria this month. The representatives of the Usa Arab Emirates and Cina underscored the importance of dialogue with regard to tangible progress on the concern. Highlighting that the Syrian chemical file is one of the most politicized of the Council, the delegate of the United Arabic Emirates called on the parties to work with a consensus-based plus non-politicized approach. China’s representative called for a holistic approach, noting that information given by Syria’s Government on terrorist organizations possessing and using chemical weapons must be taken straight into full account. CEREN HANDE ÖZGÜR ( Türkiye ) said the particular outstanding issues in relation to the particular Syrian regime’s initial and subsequent declarations persist, because highlighted by the latest statement of the OPCW’s Director General. Due to identified gaps and inconsistencies that remain unresolved, the OPCW Secretariat still cannot consider the Declaration submitted as accurate and. Moreover, the Secretariat’s efforts to organize the next circular of consultations with the Declaration Assessment Team either in Syria or Lebanon stay unsuccessful. The Secretariat is still waiting for responses to its inquiries regarding the regime’s chemical weapons production facilities and the unauthorized movement for chlorine cylinders related to often the 2018 Douma attack. Against this backdrop, the work among the fact-finding mission, as well as the recent investigations by the investigation as well as identification team are crucial for establishing the truth about the chemical weapons use in Syria. Calling the use of chemical weaponry “unacceptable under any circumstances”, she stressed the importance of burden for this egregious crime. The representative of the Russian Federation said discussing this topic in the Council every month was to “tick the box” for the benefit of a number of Western countries’ domestic politics objectives, devalue the controversy and undermine the 15-member organ’s authority. The OPCW Director-General has repeatedly come up with excuses as to why he or she is unable to attend the Council’s meetings for the briefing, while providing a “carbon copy” of the reports. Until the conference schedule is optimized, this individual sees no point in engaging in the debate at the substance of the issue, he said. This individual encouraged Syria to elevate constructive cooperation with the OPCW Secretariat, in line with resolution 2118 (2013) and the Convention on Chemical Weapons and to help resolve several lingering issues. These issues included the organization of the next round of consultations with the Declaration Assessment Group; the 20 outstanding problems pending for some time; and the detection of a Schedule 2 . N. 04 chemical at the Barzah facilities in November 2018. He also underlined the importance of a proposed high-level, in-person meeting between Syrian officials and OPCW, expressing hope that the two edges could expedite actions to get ready an early meeting. PASCALE BAERISWYL ( Swiss ) said Syria must fully cooperate with OPCW, as its monitoring routines play a key role within achieving the common goal associated with States to completely exclude the particular possible use of chemical weapons. The OPCW fact-finding missions and investigation and identification teams must be able to operate on the ground. Yet, since April 2021, the particular Organisation’s Declaration Assessment Team has not been able to enter Syria. “This is of excellent concern to us, ” she said, calling on Syria to give the team unhindered access to its territory. The international community still is not really certain that chemical weapons stockpiles have been completely eliminated and there are 20 outstanding issues regarding this, yet only four have already been resolved in almost 10 years, she pointed out. All these obstacles must be eliminated without delay. Otherwise, Syria’s initial declaration cannot be confirmed. Emphasizing her delegation’s stand against the use plus proliferation of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances, she said: “Our collective security and the credibility of the instruments of the disarmament and non-proliferation architecture that guarantee it are at stake. ” ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO ( Japan ), Council President for January, speaking in his national capability, stressed that the use of chemical substance weapons should never be tolerated anywhere, at any time, by anyone, under any circumstance. Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held responsible, he asserted, urging Syria to fully comply with its obligations under both the Convention on Chemical Weapons and resolution 2118 (2013). Syria must engage in good belief with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and provide all required paperwork to solve the outstanding problems related to the initial and following declarations submitted by that country. Moreover, Syria should take the necessary steps to facilitate the holding associated with consultations between the Declaration Evaluation Team and the Syrian National Authority, and refrain from producing further excuses to impede the entry of the Team’s technical expert to its territory. Commending the investigations of the Investigation plus Identification Team — including that on the Douma incident in 2018 — this individual reiterated that the use of chemical weapons in Syria positions a serious threat to international peace and security, along with the global non-proliferation regime. HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN ( Ghana ), speaking furthermore for Gabon and Mozambique, said he regretted that there has been no significant development on this matter, which is considered monthly. The lack of improvement is concerning and the Authorities must adopt a pragmatic approach to resolve the matter according to international law. While acknowledging the efforts of the Syrian national authorities, including a six-month extension of the Tripartite Agreement until 30 June, he stated that much more could be done. “As has been stressed many times before, due to the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies that remain unresolved, the Technical Secretariat is constantly on the assess that, at this stage, the declaration submitted by the Syrian Arab Republic cannot be regarded as accurate and complete in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, ” he said. The particular OPCW Technical Secretariat remains fully committed to ensuring the entire implementation by Syria of all its declaration requirements and to assisting Syria in satisfying its obligations under the Tradition, decisions by OPCW policymaking organs, and Security Council resolution 2118 (2013), he or she said, reiterating the High Representative’s support for the integrity, professionalism, impartiality, objectivity and self-reliance of the work of OPCW. BASSAM SABBAGH ( Syria ) pointed out that his country has never used a prohibited weapon or a poisonous chemical matter and recalled that the first chemical weaponry incident took place in 2013 in Aleppo, expressing repent that no visit by an independent investigation team took place, and no investigation was organized. Having voluntarily acceded to the Convention on Chemical Weapons in 2013, Syria concluded elimination of all its stockpiles in 2014, and thus, implemented the Convention prior to it entered into force, he or she added. Over the past nine years, Syrian authorities given more than 500 entrance visas to OPCW Technical Secretariat officials, facilitated 24 models of negotiations of the Declaration Assessment Team and 9 rounds of inspections of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre, he stressed, directing out that several visits from the fact-finding mission were also conducted. AMIR SAEID JALIL IRAVANI ( Iran ) noted there have been no new developments since the Council’s previous meeting and Mr. Ebo’s report made certainly no new points. Typically the absence of progress and progress on the issue meant once a month meetings were a waste of United Nations resources plus the Council’s time. His or her delegation supported the res of the open issues plus supports constructive dialogue relating to Syria and OPCW. Any investigation must be unprejudiced, credible and objective and comply with the Convention’s necessities and procedures. This individual rejected all efforts in order to undermine the Convention and also OPCW authority and required the Convention’s balanced implementation. He commended Syria for its positive engagement by using OPCW, and this engagement merited acknowledgement. The respectable concerns of Syria has to be addressed, including its position on the legality of the establishment among the investigation and identification squad, which was given unlawful mandate. He noted Syria has regularly submitted their monthly report, including it is latest report on 15 December. He expected high-level meeting between OPCW and Syria will front the path for parties to be in unresolved issues. The OPCW fact-finding mission remains in the process associated with studying all available information related to allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, he said. On this context, the mission had been deployed to Syria through 6 to 12 November 2022 to conduct interviews with witnesses regarding a number of the incidents under review. The investigation plus identification team also is constantly on the look into incidents in which the fact-finding mission has determined that chemical weapons were utilized or likely used in Syria. The investigation plus identification team will problem further reports in because of course. Japan’s representative, Council President for January, speaking in his national capacity, said the use of chemical weapons should never be tolerated anyplace, at any time, by anyone, below any circumstance. Syria must engage in good trust with the Technical Secretariat and supply all required documents to resolve the outstanding issues associated with the initial and subsequent declarations submitted by that nation. It should also avoid making further excuses to impede the entry from the Declaration Assessment Team’s specialized expert to its area. The particular OPCW fact-finding mission continues to be in the process of studying just about all available information related to allegations of the use of chemical weaponry in Syria, he mentioned. The investigation plus identification team also continues its work and will problem further reports in because of course. It is essential to hold accountable all those who would dare to use chemical weapons, he said, voicing hope that members of the Authorities will unite on the issue. NICOLAS DE RIVI È RE ( France ) recalled that resolution 2118 (2013) was passed unanimously and that the reality of the deadly assault in Ghoutta in 2013 has never been contested by anyone. “The lack of progress since then is frustrating, yet responsibility lies solely using the Syrian regime, ” this individual underscored, adding that it is the particular Syrian regime which stubbornly refuses to cooperate, with obvious bad faith. Further, it has chosen to scuttle the particular bilateral meeting scheduled in November with the Technical Secretariat by imposing financial conditions that it knew were impossible to respect. OPCW has informed Syria of its intention to send a reduced group to the field in the near future, this individual noted, calling on Syria to facilitate the deployment of this team and to finally work. Syria must urgently shed light on its chemical weaponry stockpile, not all of which have been destroyed. It is time designed for Syria to comply with its international obligations. This is the only way it will be in a position to restore its rights plus privileges. There must be no impunity for those responsible for these chemical attacks, he additional, underscoring that combating impunity is a priority for France which will continue its efforts to that end. Claims SUN ZHIQIANE ( China ) condemned the use of chemical weapons by any nation, under any circumstance, for virtually any purposes. There is no alternative to dialogue and negotiation to resolve the Syrian chemical weaponry issue, he emphasized, incorporating that the Syrian Government and the OPCW Technical Secretariat need to strengthen engagement and communication to settle any outstanding issues promptly. As for the conference between the Organisation’s Director Common and the Syrian Foreign Minister, he underlined the importance of taking into consideration the realities faced by the nation. Information provided by the Syrian Government on terrorist organizations possessing and using chemical weapons must be taken directly into full account, he stressed, calling for a holistic approach towards the Syrian issue, which would make the Council’s work more efficient. Adedeji Ebo, Director and Deputy to the High Consultant for Disarmament Affairs, talking on behalf of High Representative pertaining to Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu, said efforts by the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team to clarify all outstanding problems regarding Syria’s initial and subsequent declarations have not progressed since the Council last fulfilled on the matter. Syria’s consultant, pointing out that his country has never used a prohibited weapon or a poisonous chemical matter, said that over the past nine years, Syrian authorities granted more than 500 entrance visas to OPCW Technical Secretariat officials, facilitated 24 rounds of negotiations of the Declaration Assessment Team and nine rounds of inspections of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center. This individual welcomed the request from the Technical Secretariat to enable a visit of a reduced Declaration Evaluation Team to carry out limited actions. Underscoring the unlawful nature of the establishment of the investigation and identification team, he reiterated that his country does not recognize any conclusions of the “illegal” group. Furthermore, Syria has accepted the renewal of the tripartite agreement with OPCW and UNOPS and welcomed the organization of high-level negotiations between the Foreign Ministry representative and the OPCW Movie director General. Underscoring the illegal nature of the institution of the investigation and identification team, he pointed out the manipulation of the Convention’s text and reiterated that his country does not recognize any conclusions of the “illegal” team. Syria offered amenities to ensure the visit of the fact-finding mission in November and renewed its appeal to the team to publish the document on the five incidents flagged, respecting the working research document; maintaining the string of custody for examples; and avoiding using open sources. Turning to the particular report of the eighth circular of inspections of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Middle, he spotlighted the cooperation of the Syrian authorities during the cycle and welcomed the request of the Technical Secretariat to enable a visit of a reduced Declaration Assessment Team to undertake limited activities. The OPCW Technical Secretariat has knowledgeable the Syrian National Authority of its intention to send a reduced team to conduct limited in-country activities in Syria from 17 to twenty two January, he said, worrying that Syria’s full cooperation with the Technical Secretariat is important to closing all outstanding issues. As has been stressed many times before, because of the identified gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies that remain conflicting, Syria’s declaration cannot be considered accurate and complete in accordance with the particular Chemical Weapons Convention, this individual said. Briefing DMITRY A. POLYANSKIY ( Russian Federation ) said that yet another meeting on Syrian chemical substance weapons was bringing no added value to the matter. Rather, he mentioned, discussing this topic within the Council each month was to “tick the box” for that benefit of the domestic political objectives of a number of Traditional western countries, devalue the discussion and undermine the Council’s authority. He furthermore observed that the OPCW Director-General has repeatedly come up with standard excuses as to why he is unable to attend the Council’s meetings for your briefing, while providing a “carbon copy” of the reports. In this regard, the scheduling from the meetings needs to be optimized, he stressed, underscoring that, until then, he sees no point in engaging in the debate on the substance from the issue. The representative of the United States, however , pointed out that despite Moscow’s repeated assertions that OPCW’S Director-General has not met with all the Assad regime, the program has stalled the booking of such meetings since June 2021. OPCW and the United Nations have individually concluded that the regime provides used chemical weapons upon eight occasions, he mentioned, calling on Syria to conform to its obligations and instantly cease its obstructions from the OPCW Expert Team so the issue of chemical weaponry use by the country is usually resolved once and for all. Regarding home inspections of the Barzah and Jamrayah facilities of the Scientific Studies and Research Centre, the OPCW Technical Secretariat continues to strategy the next round of home inspections, to be held in 2023, he continued. This individual voiced regret that Syria has not yet provided enough technical information or explanations that would enable the Technical Secretariat to close the issue related to the detection of a Schedule 2 chemical on the Barzah facilities of the Research and Research Centre in November 2018. Nor has it received the asked for information from Syria concerning the unauthorized movement of the 2 cylinders related to the chemical-weapon incident that took place within Douma on 7 April 2018, which were destroyed in an attack on a chemical weapons production facility, he stated, calling on Damascus to respond along with urgency to all of the Technical Secretariat’s requests. As Council members were previously educated, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has provided Syria with the listing of pending declarations and other files requested by the Declaration Evaluation Team since 2019, with all the aim of assisting Damascus in resolving the current 20 excellent issues, he continued. However , the Technical Secretariat has not yet received the particular requested information from Syria. Due to this situation, and pursuit of its ongoing efforts to implement its requirement, the Technical Secretariat provides informed the Syrian National Authority of its intention to send a reduced team to conduct limited in-country activities in the nation from 17 to 22 January. “It is usually my understanding that the Syrian Arab Republic has welcome the intention by the OPCW Secretariat to send a reduced team and has requested supplementary information in order to make necessary arrangements, ” he added. Full cooperation by Syria with the Technical Secretariat is essential in order to closing all outstanding problems. ADEDEJI EBO, Director and Deputy to the Higher Representative for Disarmament Matters Officer-in-Charge, speaking on behalf of benefit Representative for Disarmament Matters Izumi Nakamitsu, welcomed the safety Council’s new non-permanent associates — Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland — adding that the High Consultant looks forward to working closely with all Council people on this important issue. Since the Council’s last account of the matter, and consistent with established practice, the Office meant for Disarmament Affairs has been in normal contact with its counterparts on the Organisation for the Prohibition associated with Chemical Weapons (OPCW) upon its activities related to resolution 2118 (2013), he said. “Efforts by the OPCW Declaration Assessment Team to clarify all outstanding issues regarding the initial declaration plus subsequent declarations of Syria have not progressed since the Council last met on the issue. Unfortunately, all initiatives by the OPCW Technical Secretariat to organize the next round of consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team and the Syrian National Authority continue to be unsuccessful. ” Syria must fully work with the Organisation for the Forbidance of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to close all outstanding issues related to its declaration, a senior United Nations recognized told the Security Council these days during its monthly briefing on the implementation of resolution 2118 (2013) on the reduction of the country’s chemical weaponry programme, highlighting that long-standing gaps, inconsistencies and differences remain unresolved. FABIO CUNHA PINTO COELHO ( Brazil ) stated that, as in previous months, there is little change in the situation on the ground or in the relationship in between Syria and the Organization. This reinforced his delegation’s perception that there is a mismatch in the frequency of these meetings. While the Council ought to pay close attention to progress in the eradication of chemical weapons within Syria, holding monthly conferences when there is little or no relevant development on the ground does not seem an effective use of time and sources, he said. This individual also welcomed efforts to keep a meeting between representatives associated with OPCW and Syrian specialists in Beirut in November 2022, but voiced feel dissapointed about that the meeting could not occur. Noting the impracticality to conduct full rounds of consultations, he expressed support for efforts to send a reduced team to carry out limited in-country activities in Syria later this 30 days. Further, the six-month extension of the Tripartite Contract among the United Nations Office regarding Project Services (UNOPS), OPCW and Syria was made welcome. More so, chemical weapons are utterly incompatible with international humanitarian law, he stressed, adding that their use violates international contracts and poses serious threats to international peace plus security. Regarding the decision by the OPCW Meeting of States Parties entitled “Addressing the Possession plus Use of Chemical Weapons by the Syrian Arab Republic” used on 21 April 2021, he said that, unfortunately, Syria has not yet completed any of the measures stipulated in paragraph 5 of decision. The OPCW Technical Secretariat will continue to engage with Syria with regard to their completion and can continue to report to the OPCW Executive Council as mandated. The OPCW Specialized Secretariat continues to plan the next round of inspections of the Barzah and Jamrayah amenities of the Scientific Studies and Analysis Centre, to be held in 2023, he continued. While the OPCW Technical Secretariat was awaiting Syria’s reaction on the latest version of the agenda for the in-person meeting between the OPCW Director-General and the Minister for Foreign Matters and Expatriates of Syria, Damascus suggested a preliminary conference in Beirut. Meanwhile, on 8 December, OPCW, the United Nations Office designed for Project Services (UNOPS) and Syria finalized an extension from the tripartite agreement for a period of six months from 1 January up to and including 30 June. Also speaking were associates of Ghana, Brazil, Malta, Albania, Ecuador, Switzerland, Italy, United Kingdom, Türkiye and Serbia.
Since Gaps, Inconsistencies Remain, Syria’s Chemical Weapons Declaration Cannot Be Considered Accurate, Senior Formal Tells Security Council
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