A3+ Statement delivered by H.E. Amar Bendjama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN, at Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Syria (Chemical Weapons)
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the A3+, namely: Guyana, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Algeria.
We thank Mr. Adedeji Ebo, Deputy to the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, for the briefing. We welcome the participation in this meeting of the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, the Islamic Republic of Iran and Türkiye.
Mr. President,
The A3+ reiterates its firm belief that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, and under any circumstances must be condemned. We remain committed to ensuring accountability for such actions under international law.
We have carefully reviewed the contents of the 131st monthly report of the OPCW, covering the period from 24 July to 23 August 2024. We also acknowledge the submission of the 129th monthly report, dated 14 August, on progress achieved by the Syrian Arab Republic on the destruction of its chemical weapons.
Regarding the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, the A3+ notes with satisfaction that, in terms of the overall figure for destruction, 100% of declared chemical weapons had been destroyed as of 7th July 2023. In this regard, we welcome the completion of the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles, including those declared by the Syrian Arab Republic.
While recalling the decisions of the Executive Council with respect to the elimination and destruction of Syrian chemical weapons, and the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons production facilities, the A3+ commends the substantive efforts made and the significant progress achieved in this regard. We also welcome the OPCW Director-General's reports on the completion of the destruction of all chemical weapons and chemical weapon production facilities declared by the Syrian Arab Republic.
The A3+ acknowledges the ongoing collaboration between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Technical Secretariat, particularly the 27th round of consultations between the Declaration Assessment Team and the Syrian National Authority in Damascus. We look forward to the report on these consultations and anticipate further positive developments.
We have taken note that the Syrian National Authority has agreed to hold the 28th round of consultations with the Declaration Assessment Team after September 10th, and the A3+ looks forward to the conduct of this visit and to the achievement of fruitful results in order to close this file.
The A3+ encourages the Secretariat to continue its efforts to clarify all outstanding issues regarding the initial and subsequent declarations submitted by the Syrian Arab Republic in accordance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. We also encourage the Syrian Arab Republic to continue its cooperation to address the outstanding issues in accordance with the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
The A3+ believes that maintaining open channels of communication and fostering a spirit of collaboration is crucial for the successful resolution of outstanding matters. In this respect, we encourage Syria’s continued engagement with the OPCW.
The A3+ welcomes the extension of the Tripartite Agreement between the OPCW, UNOPS, and the Syrian Arab Republic until 31 December 2024. We believe this agreement plays a vital role in facilitating the Secretariat's mandated activities in the Syrian Arab Republic.
We remain committed to the imperative against the use of chemical weapons and to all efforts aimed at prohibiting their development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use. The A3+ reaffirms its continuing support for resolution 2118 (2013) and underscores the importance of its full implementation.
The A3+ looks forward to the continuation of the existing successful cooperation between the OPCW and the Syrian Arab Republic on all issues, in order to close this file permanently. We believe that through sustained dialogue and mutual understanding, further progress can be achieved in addressing the remaining concerns.
I thank you
