The United Nations Security Council held a session on January 8, 2025, under the designation SC/15961, to address the situation in Syria. Representatives of various countries discussed the chemical weapons file, emphasizing the necessity of eliminating chemical weapons and their munitions.
Dorothy Shea, Deputy Representative of the United States, urged the interim authorities in Syria or the new Syrian government to ensure the identification, securing, and safe destruction of any remaining elements of the chemical weapons program under international verification.
The Syrian caretaker government was called upon to work “closely” with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM), and the United Nations to completely eradicate the chemical weapons program.
The importance of identifying Syrian points of contact to work with the OPCW was underscored, along with the need to implement this plan and provide security guarantees for OPCW personnel to conduct verification activities.
Guy Darmad Hekari, the French Deputy Representative, called for utmost caution regarding the deployment of weapons, particularly those stemming from Syria’s chemical weapons programs. He pointed out that the fall of the Assad regime presents an opportunity to destroy these weapons.
Barbara Woodward, the UK Representative, stated that “now” is the right time to close the Syrian chemical weapons file “once and for all.”
In her speech, the UK Representative referenced the chemical weapons used by the former Syrian regime against its citizens and called for their removal. She welcomed the interim authorities’ commitment to securing chemical weapons stockpiles and urged constructive cooperation with the OPCW to ensure the complete declaration and verified destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.
She also urged Security Council member states to support collaboration between the interim Syrian authorities and the OPCW to “ensure that chemical weapons are never used again.”
The Turkish delegate called for holding the former Syrian regime accountable for its human rights violations and the use of chemical weapons. He stressed that there would be no place for terrorist organizations in Syria.
During the meeting, Samuel Žbogar, Slovenia’s representative, stressed the need for the safe securing and destruction of any remaining chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria. He also highlighted the ongoing threat posed by explosive remnants of war, which continue to endanger lives, livelihoods, and food security.
