Syria's Chemical Weapons Programme: A3 Statement

Thank Madam President for giving me the floor.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 members comprising Gabon, Kenya and Ghana.

To begin with, let me express our appreciation to Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, for the comprehensive briefing on activities undertaken in the last month, towards the implementation of the elimination of the Syrian Chemical weapons programme, pursuant to Security Council resolution 2118 (2013) and other relevant decisions of the OPCW Executive Council. The A3 welcomes the report of the OPCW covering the period of January 24 to February 23, 2022.

We also welcome the distinguished representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, The Islamic Republic of Iran and Turkey to this meeting.

Madam President,

In adopting resolution 2118, this Council signaled its unanimous and strong objection to the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone and under any circumstance and, recognizing the threat posed to the maintenance of international peace and security, endorsed the expeditious and verifiable destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

It is in this context that we acknowledge the supervisory role of the OPCW for the implementation of the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons programme.

We note with concern, however, the persisting divergence between the positions of the OPCW and the Syrian Authorities regarding unaddressed gaps, inconsistencies and outstanding issues in Syria's initial and subsequent submissions in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention.

We believe that meaningful progress can be made towards the full implementation of the elimination programme through enhanced relations and good-faith cooperation between the OPCW together with its implementing bodies and the Syrian Authority. We therefore urge the Council to concertedly support efforts in this direction.

In our view, the proposed in-person meeting between Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad and the Director-General of the OPCW could be a useful opportunity for confidence-building and a recommitment by Syria to its obligations. It is therefore our expectation that the officials in charge will make meaningful progress for that meeting to be held sooner than later.

The A3 takes note of the Syrian Authority's submission to the Executive Council of its 99th monthly report regarding activities on its territory related to the destruction of its chemical weapons as well as its chemical weapons production facilities (CWPFs) as required of it by the Executive Council.

Regarding the deployment of the Declaration Assessment Team to Syria, the A3 urges the Syrian Authority to comply with its obligations to grant unfettered and unhindered access into Syria for all members of the team. We believe that the DAT and the Syrian Authority working collaboratively through enhanced communication and the exchange of information can explore opportunities to overcome the present limitations to the holding of the twenty-fifth round of consultations

We also look forward to further information on subsequent rounds of inspections of the Barzah and Jamrayah facilities of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre which have been planned for this year.

We take note of the continuous support of UNOPS (the United Nations Office for Project Services) in the framework of the Tripartite Agreement reached with the OPCW and the Syrian Authorities.

The A3 also acknowledges the difficulties posed by the on-going COVID-19 pandemic to the work of the OPCW in Syria and notes the Secretariat's commitment to ensure continuity, pending improvement in the situation.

Madam President,

The A3 will continue to support accountability measures to hold perpetrators to account, deter further use by state and non-state actors and reinforce the international norms against the use of chemical weapons and such weapons of mass destruction.

We acknowledge in this regard, the important work of the Fact-Finding Mission in Syria (FFM) and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) and stress the need for them to remain independent, transparent and impartial in carrying out their mandates.

In concluding, Madam President, allow me to reiterate Africa's principled position against the use of Chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone and under any circumstances, as no cause could justify its use and, in that regard, let me express our support for efforts towards the early closure of the elimination of Syria's chemical weapons programme.

I thank you for your kind attention.