In a press release on Saturday, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced that Director-General Fernando Arias and his team had met interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa and caretaker Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani at their invitation. This marked the end of “11 years of obstruction” by the Assad regime, which was ousted from power in early December.
The meetings were described as lengthy, productive, and open, with a thorough exchange of information. The goal of this dialogue is to end the longstanding deadlock over the use of banned weapons during Syria’s brutal civil conflict and achieve tangible results.
Positive first step
This visit represents the initial step in re-establishing a direct working relationship between the OPCW Technical Secretariat and Syria.
The discussions focused on Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), the role and mandate of the OPCW, and the support the Technical Secretariat can offer to eliminate the remnants of Syria’s chemical weapons program.
Director-General Arias stated, “This visit signifies a fresh start. After eleven years of obstruction by the previous authorities, the Syrian caretaker authorities have the opportunity to fulfill Syria’s obligations under the Convention. My presence in Damascus demonstrates the OPCW’s commitment to rebuilding a relationship based on mutual trust and transparency. We must seize this chance together and overcome the impasse for the benefit of the Syrian people and the international community.”
Failure to verify
Since 2013, Syria’s declaration of its chemical weapons program has been incomplete, with significant amounts of prohibited weaponry unaccounted for. Mr. Arias emphasized the OPCW’s willingness to work with Syria’s transitional authorities to address these unresolved issues and fulfill its responsibilities to regain good standing within the organization.
He presented the Secretariat’s nine-point Action Plan for Syria to the interim President and caretaker Foreign Minister.
Commitment to Support
The Director-General reaffirmed the OPCW’s commitment to assisting the country and bringing it back into compliance as a member state. By doing so, the caretaker authorities will protect the Syrian people, hold any identified perpetrators of chemical weapons use accountable, and enhance the country’s reputation as a reliable and trusted member of the international community.
“This visit lays the foundation for collaborating to permanently close the Syrian chemical weapons file and promote long-term compliance, regional stability, and contribute to peace and international security,” expressed Mr. Arias.
Questions raised
Syria became a State Party to the CWC and a Member State of the OPCW in October 2013. A joint OPCW-UN mission with the former Syrian authorities resulted in the removal and verifiable destruction of all declared chemical weapons. However, concerns regarding the accuracy and completeness of Syria’s initial declaration have persisted.
The OPCW Action Plan, drawing on the Technical Secretariat’s extensive expertise, outlines the next steps: compiling an inventory of sites, equipment, munitions, chemicals, documents, personnel, and facilities; declaring all components of the Syrian chemical weapons program; and ensuring its verifiable elimination. Long-term compliance with the CWC will be achieved through enhanced cooperation.
Groundwork for success
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, aims to permanently eradicate chemical weapons. Since the Convention came into effect in 1997, it has been the most successful disarmament treaty, eliminating an entire category of weapons of mass destruction.
In 2023, the organization verified that all chemical weapons stockpiles declared by the 193 States Parties to the CWC since 1997 had been irreversibly destroyed under the OPCW’s rigorous verification regime. For its significant efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW was honored with the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
