Summary:
-
Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said she has been emphasizing each month “for many years now” that continued unresolved inconsistencies meant Syria was out of compliance with Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) when updating ambassadors on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
-
She said, “Unfortunately, the OPCW Technical Secretariat continues to be unable to schedule the 25th session of meetings between the DAT and the Syrian National Authority.
-
Wishing to assist the OPCW Technical Secretariat has given Syria the list of pending declarations and documents required by the DAT since 2019, outlining 20 unresolved concerns, as Council members were previously notified.
-
“To resolve any unresolved issues, full cooperation by the Syrian Arab Republic with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is necessary.
-
“Complete dedication ensured the OPCW Technical Secretariat told the UNODA director that it is still “fully committed” to ensuring that all of Syria’s declaration criteria are “fully implemented.
Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, said she has been emphasizing each month “for many years now” that continued unresolved inconsistencies meant Syria was out of compliance with Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) when updating ambassadors on the elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Continual attempts were unsuccessful
She stated that since her previous briefing, the Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) had maintained regular communication with its counterparts at the UN-backed Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) regarding related efforts by its Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) of experts to clarify open questions.
She said, “Unfortunately, the OPCW Technical Secretariat continues to be unable to schedule the 25th session of meetings between the DAT and the Syrian National Authority.
Wishing to assist
The OPCW Technical Secretariat has given Syria the list of pending declarations and documents required by the DAT since 2019, outlining 20 unresolved concerns, as Council members were previously notified.
“I have been informed that the Syrian Arab Republic has not yet provided the OPCW Technical Secretariat with the needed information,” Ms. Nakamitsu stated.
“To resolve any unresolved issues, full cooperation by the Syrian Arab Republic with the OPCW Technical Secretariat is necessary.”
Complete dedication ensured
The OPCW Technical Secretariat told the UNODA director that it is still “fully committed” to ensuring that all of Syria’s declaration criteria are “fully implemented.”
Additionally, it has kept its promise to support Syria in carrying out its responsibilities under the Convention, OPCW guidelines, and Security Council resolution 2118.
The OPCW’s work is conducted with integrity, professionalism, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, Ms. Nakamitsu declared in her closing statement.
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
