Syria, Use of Chemical Weapons: Statement During Briefing

Thank you Madam President,

Allow me to thank Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu for her brief and consistent updates on the ongoing activities of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as well as the regular reports on the ongoing investigations on the use of Chemical Weapons.

I reaffirm Kenya's support for the mandate of the OPCW and its responsibility towards the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. We condemn any use of chemical weapons wherever and by whoever, convinced that such atrocities constitute a deplorable violation of international law and cannot be justified under any circumstance whatsoever.

Kenya takes note of the 25th January 2021 report on the 96th session of OPCW. We further appreciate that despite the COVID-19 pandemic induced challenges including the postponement of planned deployments and missions, the OPCW has found ways to ensure continuity of its work.

We welcome the submission by the Syrian Arab Republic to the Council of its eighty-sixth monthly report and emphasise the need for coordination between Syria and the OPCW to clear up the 19 identified gaps, inconsistencies, and discrepancies that remain unresolved. We also hope the envisaged consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) and the Syrian Government will materialize and yield positive outcomes in order to hasten the conclusion of the investigations.

Madam President,

It is important that this Council supports all efforts to strengthen the OPCW to ensure these investigations are concluded without unnecessary delays and with utmost professionalism and transparency. The expeditious closure of the investigations will allow the Council to direct its energies to helping the Syrian people arrive at a much-desired political solution to the conflict that has impoverished millions of innocent lives.

We strongly believe in the imperative of the international community including members of this Council, to set aside their national interests on the whole Syrian situation and choose to prioritize the interests and the welfare of the Syrian people. We are persuaded that the long-term solution to the Syrian crisis lies in a political dialogue that includes the widest spectrum of the Syrian people but excluding terrorist groups and their leaders who have caused them untold suffering.

I reaffirm Kenya's unwavering solidarity with the people of Syria as they continue to seek a sustainable solution based on an inclusive Syrian-led dialogue, aimed at a political resolution reflective of the will of the people of Syria.

Thank you