UK Deems Syrian Regime Elimination of Chemical Weapons Stockpile “Unlikely”

The UK representative has considered the “accurate” declaration by the regime about the elimination of its chemical weapons stockpile as an “unlikely” prospect, despite more than 10 years passing since it signed the Chemical Weapons Convention.

At the 106th session of the Executive Council on July 9, 2024, the UK’s Permanent Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Joanna Roper, emphasized that there are other “serious” issues related to the regime’s declaration about chemical weapons, as concluded by the OPCW’s Declaration Assessment Team.

Roper recommended that the ambassadors of the OPCW member states continue their full support for the Technical Secretariat and its missions to Syria.

Roper described the work of the Technical Secretariat and its missions as “essential” to the OPCW’s efforts to mitigate the significant risks posed by both the Syrian regime and “regional non-state actors” to international security.

Roper called for the full implementation of Decision CSP 28, issued in November 2023, and for increased scrutiny on the transfer of toxic chemicals. She advocated for full accountability for the use of chemical weapons and for providing justice to the victims.

The UK representative also addressed the challenges facing the Chemical Weapons Convention, noting that the principles underpinning these challenges are increasing. She urged the State Parties to convene and fully commit to supporting the OPCW’s work to ensure it can address current and future threats.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been an active member of the OPCW since the Chemical Weapons Convention came into effect in 1997. The UK has also been a member of the OPCW Executive Council, which is the executive body responsible for promoting the effective implementation and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as overseeing the activities of the OPCW Technical Secretariat.

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