The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 10217th meeting

The 10,217th meeting of the Security Council is called to order. I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute on behalf of the Council to Her Excellency Ms. Kristina Markus Lassen, Permanent Representative of Denmark, for her service as President of the Council for the month of August, I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Lassen and her team for the great diplomatic skill with which they conducted the Council's business last month. The provisional agenda for this meeting is the situation in the Middle East. The agenda is adopted. The representative of the Russian Federation has requested the floor and I give him the floor now.

Mr. President, I would just like to say that what I'm about to say is not for our Syrian friends. I would like to focus our issue with the conduct of today's meeting. We are fundamentally against the French Presidency, despite the objections from permanent members of the Council in consultations, taking the arbitrary decision to change the principle by establishing this meeting and by including this on the agenda. of the Council. We would be delighted to hear from our Syrian friends. However, we're not convinced that this change in what is the country that's being considered today is going to be taken into consideration. The voice of our Syrian partners needs to be heard, but it's not necessarily going to be heard around this table. We don't understand why the Council needs to break the normal practice here. We're not talking about concrete delegations, but the approach taken by the Presidency in deciding upon such an approach. On agreeing on the programme of work of the Council, we heard remarks from the Presidency that this kind of situation might occur from one particular delegation. The President wasn't specific, but he did say that we would know about such a decision the next day. The Council does have a practice of giving the floor to the country that is on the agenda before giving it to members of the Security Council. However, such an order was established for specific topics and agreed upon by all members of the Council. This meeting is a normal meeting and it is on the chemical weapons issue in the country and so this is in no way any different and why it is any different from any previous meetings is unclear. I'd also like to remind you that previously the discussion of the Syrian chemical weapons file was just taking place in consultations and we did agree upon this but the aim of the president is to say that such preferences should be left to different delegations and so we apparently are seeking to save time and that is why we are hearing the country that's on the agenda first but when one delegation gives a preference for the list of speakers and others reject it this is an issue one of the main aims of our working methods is to streamline the work and reach agreement. It is unclear as to how this order today will help us to achieve such agreement and streamlining. I'd like to remind you that the President of the Council is not his own master, rather he is there to be concerned about the customs and the traditions of the Council and not just do his own thing. So France, as President of the Security Council over the years, surely is the one country who really understands this and should know about it. The permanent members of the Council have the responsibility to maintain these customs and traditions and have particular responsibility for it. Very recently, we discussed the presidential letter about the working methods of the Security Council. we just some 10 days later we're seeing that the spirit and the letter of that is now being completely undermined and not adhered to whatsoever I thank you

I take note of what the Russian Federation has said and I'd like to thank him I'd like to draw the attention of the council to s 507 that he refers to the working methods of the council paragraph 36 of this stipulates When non-member states of the Council are invited to speak to the Council, those who are directly interested in the question under consideration can take the floor before the members if there is such a need. It seems to be important that the practice in numerous different meetings when member countries have spoken before the members of the Council has been established. In accordance with Rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey to participate in this meeting. It is so decided. in accordance with rule 39 of the council's provisional rules of procedure I invite Miss Izumi Nakamitsu High Representative for disarmament Affairs to participate in this meeting it is so decided The Security Council will now begin its consideration of item two of the agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to a letter dated 27 August 2026 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, document S/2026/698. I now give the floor to Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu.

Thank you very much, Mr. President. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, thank you for the opportunity to brief the Council once again on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118 on the elimination of the chemical weapons programme of the Syrian Arab Republic. Since the last consideration of this matter by the Council, and consistent with established practice, the Office for Disarmament Affairs has been in regular contact with counterparts in the OPCW Technical Secretariat on activities related to resolution 2118. In this regard, I met recently with the new OPCW Director General, Madame Sabrina Dello Fojo. I take this opportunity to reaffirm the continued close cooperation between our organizations under her leadership, and I also express my appreciation for the strong partnership with former Director-General Arias and his team. In addition, regular contact with the Mission of the Syrian Arab Republic to the United Nations has continued. I held a meeting most recently on 28 August 2026 with His Excellency Ambassador Olabi. Since the Council's last meeting on this matter, the OPCW and the Syrian Arab Republic have continued to engage on how to eliminate any remnants of the chemical weapons programme developed by the previous government. Together, they have achieved significant progress. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, as previously reported, following the change in the authorities in Syria in December 2024, the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the new government of Syria have attempted to address the outstanding issues related to the initial declarations submitted by the previous Syrian authorities. As the OPCW Technical Secretariat has emphasized, the remaining outstanding issues are of serious concern, as they include potentially large quantities of undeclared and/or unverified chemical warfare agents and chemical munitions. Since then, the OPCW Technical Secretariat has conducted several visits to locations of interest, carried out interviews and collected numerous samples. These activities were conducted with the full cooperation of the Syrian government, which mobilized substantial resources to facilitate and support OPCW deployments. Mr. President, nearly two years on, collective efforts are yielding tangible results to address remaining issues. declare any remaining chemical weapons and destroy them under verification of the OPCW Technical Secretariat, demonstrating the value of sustained, constructive engagement between the OPCW and the Syrian Government. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, following the OPCW deployment in May 2026, that led to the discovery of previously undeclared chemical weapons the Syrian Arab Republic submitted amendments to its initial declaration in June 2026 the Syrian Arab Republic declared one additional chemical weapons production facility a newly discovered chemical used in the production of nerve agents and empty chemical Munitions it also declared two chemical weapons storage facilities where the newly discovered materials were being stored. In August 2026, a team from the OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed to Syria to conduct an initial inspection to verify the declaration amendment related to one of the newly declared chemical weapons storage facilities. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, further to these developments, the OPCW Executive Council approved during its latest session in July 2026, two facility agreements for the storage locations in Al-Qataifa and Homs, where the recently discovered chemical weapons were being stored. The OPCW Executive Council also approved a detailed plan for verification of the destruction of Category III chemical weapons at the Al-Khatayfah chemical weapons destruction facility. With these recent advancements, the Syrian Arab Republic has necessary agreements and approvals in place to commence destruction activities under verification of the OPCW Technical Secretariat. As reported by the OPCW Director General to the members of OPCW Executive Council yesterday, these activities have started. Mr. President, in August 2026, The OPCW Technical Secretariat deployed a team to the Syrian Arab Republic to conduct an inspection to verify the destruction of category three chemical weapons. During this deployment, an OPCW inspection team conducted Article IV chemical weapons storage facility and destruction facility verification activities. The OPCW verified that inventories matched recent declarations by the Syrian Arab Republic and verified the irreversible destruction of 42 aerial bombs. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, this significant development means that for the first time since 2014, The OPCW has verified the destruction of chemical munitions from the Syrian Arab Republic. As reported by the OPCW Director General, this is a result of the close collaboration between the Syrian Government and the OPCW Technical Secretariat. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, during its last session in July 2026, OPCW Executive Council further recognized recent progress and decided to reinstate the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The OPCW Executive Council also encouraged the Syrian Arab Republic to continue its positive cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and to further advance as expeditiously as possible the work towards the identification, declaration and verified destruction of any remaining chemical weapons in its territory. Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council, last month we commemorated the victims of the 2013 Ghouta attacks. It was a stark reminder of the need to reaffirm that the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, and under any circumstances is intolerable. Impunity for their use is equally unacceptable. It is imperative that those who have used chemical weapons are identified and held accountable. As I have previously emphasized, this is a critical opportunity for the disarmament and non-proliferation regime. We must continue to deliver tangible results and build on what we have achieved thus far, both for the victims and to preserve our collective security in the years to come. I once again urge the members of the Security Council to unite and shown leadership in providing the support that this unprecedented effort requires. I also take this opportunity to reiterate the United Nations support for the integrity, professionalism, impartiality, objectivity and independence of the work of the OPCW. The United Nations stands ready to support and will continue to do our part to uphold the norm against the use of chemical weapons anywhere at any time. I thank you very much for your attention.

I thank the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs for her statement. And now I give the floor to the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.

Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to congratulate you and your friendly country, France, on assuming the Presidency of the Security Council for this month. I wish you all the success. I would also like to thank Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Under Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs, for her briefing and presence today. As stated by Ms. Izumi, I would like to seize this opportunity to thank Mr. Fernando Arias, former Director General of the OPCW, for leading this organization at a very critical point, especially with the change that we have witnessed. I would also like to applaud the new vision of the new Director to address the remnants of the Assad regime. We look forward to a constructive cooperation with her and her team. Mr. President, dear colleagues, I would like to announce before you today a historic moment, namely the commencement of the process of destroying some of the chemical materials found in Syria under the inspection work of the OPCW. This is the very first destruction process since we have been liberated from the previous regime. It's also the first of its kind to destroy chemical materials on Syrian territories for over a decade. It's a moment that demonstrates that this file, which for years constituted a source of danger to Syrians and to the world, can be transformed into a model of what diplomacy, coupled with determination and genuine political will, and international cooperation can achieve on the ground. Mr. President, I will not dwell on the details of the progress achieved, as these can be found in the reports of the Syrian Government or those of the Organisation. Nor will I reiterate our position on justice, as Syria's position on accountability is not open to compromise or interpretation. We will continue along this path, looking forward to build international cooperation to support national What I wish to focus on today are two points. First, this cooperation that you've learned about today goes beyond technical details to represent a profound political transformation in Syria's approach to safeguarding, and I repeat, safeguarding the multilateral system. It sends a message that that a state situated at the heart of a conflict-ridden Middle East is choosing by itself to return to the international community through the gateway of responsibility and fulfillment of its obligations at a time when this international system is suffering from weakness and fragmentation. We are safeguarding this international system through actions, deeds not words. Indeed, my colleagues are carrying out this work under extremely complex circumstances. The national teams themselves, despite adhering to all security and safety standards, are exposed to real risks as a result of the difficult environment in which they operate. We aim at protecting the Syrian people so that such weapons will not fall into the wrong hands. However, Mr. President, we're also protecting the world and the region through such work. Every site that is secured, every ammunition that is identified does not merely remove a danger to Syria, but the entire world. Syria and on behalf of the international community is preparing to hold the first court hearing for the use of such weapons to ensure that there will be no impunity for this is a primary pillar to ensure that this will not be repeated in any other incident around the world. We will be keen that such prosecution will be up to that level. Therefore, what we're doing on the ground safeguards the laws and institutions of the world at large. It also protects its security. all of this in a file in which we are the victims, not the perpetrators. Syria at this moment is making every effort to promote multilateral international cooperation. Thus, we also expect that this international system will also uphold its responsibility and undermine any threats to Syria and the region. And this, colleagues, lead me to the second point. It is impossible for us to succeed in this task and in the task of addressing nuclear materials and the unprecedented steps in this context through which we are protecting Syria, the region and the world, while at the same time we are dealing with those seeking to undermine our stability and the stability of the entire region. As you are all aware, and as is documented in many reports, The repeated Israeli attacks have impeded such and destruction operations. At certain stages, it brought them to a complete halt and to the cancellation of such visits. They have also exposed the national teams, the teams of the organization and the sites being secured to danger. And here, Before the Council will say it clearly because we want to explain that such attitude does not undermine our security alone but the entire region and the stability of the region. Therefore, the international community must undertake its responsibility and provide the conditions conducive to these steps that you have all commended. I will state it explicitly. And we cannot safeguard the security of the region if our security is exposed to attacks at the hands of Israel. And they are flouting this security of the region. at large and they are breaching the conventions and treaties that we have talked about. The international community has agreed to such steps, including all members of this Council. Sir President, we have inherited several files from the former regime and have addressed them with resolve and courage for the sake of Syrian men and women. and the region along with the world. These are very serious and complex files. We've abided by the law and the international standards that uphold security and stability for all. We have assumed this legacy even though it is not our legacy. The international community must now, if it is unable to assist us directly, at the very least prevent anything that threatens to undermine our ability to carry out this task on its behalf. Thank you, Mr President.

I thank the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for that statement. I now give the floor to Council members wishing to make a statement. I give the floor to the representative of the United States.

Thank you, Mr. President, and congratulations on this coming month. It'll be busy. Looking forward to your work and France's leadership. And for Ms. Nakamitsu, thank you for your informative briefing, and Mr. Ambassador, for your remarks. Since our last meeting on this topic in June, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the OPCW, Executive Council has acknowledged Syria's significant progress in tackling the remnants of the Assad regime's chemical weapons program. The United States joined other Executive Council, EC, members in approving by consensus the historic decision to reinstate Syria's rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention. These rights had been suspended since 2021 and in the context of the former regime's use of chemical weapons. During the same EC session, we also welcome Syria's submission of a new amendment to its initial declaration. As reported by the OPCW Director General, Syria has declared an additional chemical weapons production facility, a newly discovered chemical used in the production of nerve agents, and empty chemical munitions. It has also declared two chemical weapons storage facilities for which the EC approved facility agreements and where newly discovered materials are stored while awaiting destruction. This progress could not have been achieved without Syria and the OPCW Secretariat deploying significant technical, financial, and human resources. They demonstrated unwavering determination in tracking down remnants of the Assad regime's program, often under challenging conditions. The United States is grateful to all members of the Syria-led Breath of Freedom Task Force for supporting this effort. We urge Syria to continue its close coordination with the task force, notably on technical steps needed for the success of this mission. The next phase in this process is the verified and complete destruction of the identified remnants. As we speak, OPCW inspectors are deployed to Syria to verify the mechanical destruction of category three chemical weapons. namely empty M4000 aerial bombs and Volcano rockets similar to those used to deliver deadly chemical payloads on Khan Sheikhoun in 2017 and Ghouta in 2013 respectively. We look forward to the OPCW reporting on this first destruction operation since 2013 to 14 destruction of the declared CW stockpiles. The United States expresses appreciation to all who contributed to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions. According to the OPCW Director General's August report, the fund now covers expected expenses for 2026 and 2027 operations. We now encourage UN member states to consider direct support to the Syrian government's counter-CW efforts as Syria seeks to build its national capabilities for a future free of chemical weapons. We also encourage member states to assist Syria as it brings to justice those responsible for the barbaric use of chemical weapons. As we reflect on Syria's remarkable progress to date, we must also pause to remember the victims and survivors of the Assad regime's chemical attacks. including the victims of the Ghouta attack, the anniversary of which we observed last month. Our work to eliminate the Assad regime's chemical weapons program and to promote accountability is not just essential for international peace and security. It is also a way to honor the Syrian men, women, and children whose lives were taken. Let their memory Stir us onward as we work toward a Syria and a world finally free of chemical weapons. Thank you.

I thank the representative of the United States for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

Mr. President, First and foremost, I'd like to say that we listened very carefully to your explanation in terms of the decision to how to conduct this meeting. And I'd like to say that, to put it mildly, your statements did not convince us. Mr. President, we would like to thank the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu. We welcome to the meeting the representatives of Syria and Turkey. We carefully read the report of the new director general of the OPCW Sabrina Delle Fio. We wish her every success in her post. We trust that she will manage to get the work of the organization back on a purely depoliticized technical track as stipulates stipulated in her mandate in its mandate including in the Syrian file. This would help to restore the cloud of the OPCW in the eyes of the international community. We commend Damascus's demonstrable constructive cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat on the chemical weapons file. We are pleased with the consensus concerning the OPCW Executive Council's decision in July to restore Syria's rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention. Russia has consistently favoured the swift resolution of outstanding issues related to the Syrian initial declaration. under the CWC. This would help to close down the Syrian chemical weapon file. This could all have been done much earlier if the OPCW Technical Secretariat had acted in good faith as provided for in its mandate and the provisions of the Convention. Alas, for more than ten years it engaged in politicisation of the issue and in the artificial dragging out of the process and in keeping it afloat as a means to pressure the Syrian authorities. Unfortunately, today's work of the Technical Secretariat serves one purpose to find so called concealed elements of the military chemical programme in the Syrian Arab Republic, with a focus on accusing the former government of crimes using chemical weapons. We still have reasonable doubts that which is pointed out in the monthly reports of the OPCW General Director, namely the revelations unambiguously attributed to the former Syrian authorities. Any statements must be backed up by clear verifiable evidence. Unfortunately, we don't see this. This just confirms the fact that the arbitration functions of the Technical Secretariat have no legitimacy. We mustn't ignore the objective reality over the years of the conflict, a significant part of Syrian territory repeatedly came under the control of various armed groups. We'd like to remind you about the numerous cases of the use of toxic chemical agents and chemical warfare agents by extremist groups and directly by ISIS fighters. The fact that this latter group had technological skills, under the CWC, in particular, as pointed out in UNITAD's report and in specific reports of the fact-finding mission on the use of chemical weapons in Syria, in particular regarding the episodes in Marea on the 1st and 3rd of September 2015. We are also not convinced by the swift adoption in October 2025 of an OBTW decision to speed up the destruction in Syria of any chemical weapons found. We are convinced that it is unacceptable to create dangerous precedents and is fraught with the possibility of once and for all flouting the provisions of the convention. Apart from tarnishing the reputation of the OPCW, such work, such actions would would come under this so-called Breath of Freedom Working Group. We believe that this group works outside the framework of the OPCW and no one has conferred upon it any functions to identify or destroy remnants of Syrian warfare agents programs and in no way can bring to justice those who are involved in illegal chemical weapons activities. The issue of the Syrian chemical weapons file in these circumstances and stipulated in the Director General's report about its potential closure seems to be fraught with various different issues. We would urge the technical secretariat of the OPCW to act professionally. The inability of the organization to fulfill its work properly and its lack of desire in this technical secretariat to correct the methodology that it has used in the past, which was wrong, is a key problem preventing the implementation in full of resolution 2118. Until these issues are eradicated and addressed, moving on on these Syrian issues will not be possible. Thank you very much indeed.

I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Somalia.

Thank you, Mr. President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, and my own country, Somalia. On behalf of the group, allow me, Mr. President, to congratulate you for the assumption of the presidency for this month, and we wish you every success. We also thank High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Nakamitsu, for her briefing. We take note of the Secretary-General's letter transmitting the 155th monthly report of the Director General of the OPCW. We also welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic in today's meeting and thank him for his update. Mr. President, at the outset, let me reaffirm the A3's unwavering commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Our condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, and under any circumstances is absolute. We believe accountability for such grave violations is not just a legal duty, but a moral obligation. In this context, allow me to highlight the following four points. First, We welcome the landmark decision made at the 112th session of the OPCW Executive Council on July 9th of 2026, which reinstates the rights and the privileges of the Syrian Arab Republics under the convention. This is an important step, it's clear signal that genuine political will and meaningful progress have been recognized. We commend the Syrian authorities for the constructive engagement shown in addressing all relevant requirements. Second, the A3 greatly acknowledges the Syrian Arab Republic's ongoing cooperation with the Technical Secretariat. We note with appreciation Syria's formal amendments to its initial declaration, the disclosure of newly identified materials and facilities, as well as the recent updates regarding site reviews and assessments. We also welcome Syria's continued facilitation of Secretariat's teams, particularly the recent deployment in August 2026 to verify storage facilities and oversee destruction activities. Third, we take note of the approvals granted during the most recent Executive Council session, especially the facility agreements for the storage sites in Al-Qutayfa and Humus, and the detailed plan for verifying destruction of Category III chemical weapons at Al-Qutayfa. These measures underscore real progress toward the verified elimination of remaining chemical weapons. That said, we acknowledge that 19 issues related to the initial declaration remain unresolved. Achieving clarity on potentially undeclared agents and munitions is essential to ensuring the integrity of the verification process. We encourage maintaining robust technical dialogue to resolve these legacy issues and to expedite an on-site destruction as set out in decision EC. Fourth, and my final point, we recognize that progress is inevitably shaped by the broader regional security environment. We renew our call for an immediate end to all external military actions against Syrian territory, which threaten both verification efforts and the safety of personnel. Also, sufficient resources are equally vital for fulfilling these verification mandates. We recognize the support provided by the OPCW UNOPS framework and stress the need for predictable funding, urging the international community to meet the revised requirements of 9.1 million for 2026 and 11.3 million for 2027. This will be crucial not only to sustain ongoing operations, but also to build vital capacity within the Syrian government. To conclude, Mr. President, the A3D affirms its steadfast support for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. We believe that lasting progress toward eliminating chemical weapons will depend on sustained international engagement, mutual respect and practical cooperation. We encourage Syria and the OPCW to continue building on the momentum achieved, resolve all outstanding matters and bring this important chapter to a close. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Somalia for that statement. I give the floor to the representative of Greece.

Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me to begin by congratulating France on having assumed the presidency of the Security Council for September. I wish to thank the permanent representative of Denmark and her team for the way in which they have conducted the work of the Council for this last month. I commend them for their commitment throughout the full course of the Presidency. I thank the USG and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, for her briefing. I wish to welcome the participation of the Permanent Representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, the representative rather of the Syrian Republic to this meeting and I thank him for the clear update provided. The Secretary-General's recent visit to Syria marks an important milestone. His presence and his engagements on the ground announced the beginning of a new chapter in Syria's relationship with the United Nations and more broadly for the country's future. We hope that progress on the political transition will create conditions for the definitive resolution of Syria's chemical file.

The recent decision of the OPCW Executive Council to reinstate Syria's rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention marks an important milestone and a recognition of the substantive progress achieved by Syria in this regard. Greece reiterates its unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and to the global norm of the absolute prohibition of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances. Such use constitutes a grave violation of international law and may amount to war crime and crime against humanity. Greece supports serious efforts to resolve all outstanding issues relating to the Assad regime's chemical weapons program, and we continue to engage with the competent Syrian authorities, including through the provision of assistance and capacity building. We are encouraged by certain positive developments since our last meeting in June, as the new Syrian government marks to uncover the remnants of the Assad regime's chemical weapons program, secure the associated materials and equipment, and prevent any potential threat to civilians. Outstanding issues remain, however, and we call for their earliest possible resolution. First, we welcome the Syrian authority submission of further amendments to Syria's initial declaration, including information on one additional chemical weapons production facility, a newly discovered chemical used nerve agents production, two chemical weapon storage facilities, and empty chemical munitions. We are furthermore encouraged by the conclusion of the necessary agreements and approvals between Syria and the OPCW that will enable the destruction of the declared chemical weapons to begin under the Secretariat verification. We encourage the OPCW Technical Secretariat and the Syrian authorities to sustain their close engagement and follow up on these discoveries. Second, we note of the recent deployment of the OPCW teams to Syria to conduct an initial inspection verifying the amendment to Syria's initial declaration on one of the newly declared storage chemical weapons facilities, as well as an inspection to verify the destruction of category three chemical weapons. We look forward to the reports of these inspections. Third, We remain concerned that 19 outstanding issues relating to Syria's initial declaration are still unresolved, particularly given that, according to the OPCW Technical Secretariat's assessment, they include potentially large quantities of undeclared and/or unverified chemical warfare agents and chemical munitions. We encourage the Syrian authorities to sustain constructive cooperation with the OPCW to resolve all outstanding issues and accelerate field visits to suspected sites and deconstruction operations. To conclude, Greece reaffirms its full support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria and the fully inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We also renew our call for unity within the Council in upholding Resolution 2118 and the international norm against any use of chemical weapons. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Greece for that statement. I give the floor to the representative of Panama.

Thank you, Mr. President. We congratulate Denmark on their successful stewardship of the Council last month. We also congratulate France on assuming the responsibility of presiding over the Council during September. We have no doubt you will be a success and we assure you of our full support. We are grateful for the briefing delivered by the USG and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu. Moreover, we welcome the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey to this meeting. They honour us with their presence. As we address the chemical weapons file in Syria, we must not lose sight of the fact that behind every munition, every sample and every facility, there is a human facet that needs to be considered. Only a few days ago, we marked the 13th anniversary of the chemical weapons attack against Ghouta. The consequences of that attack continue to affect survivors and the families of the victims. who continue to bear the health, psychological and social wounds left by that attack. For Panama, this human dimension must remain at the heart of our endeavours. The elimination of the chemical weapons inherited from the previous regime and shedding light on the consequences thereof are not solely technical or legal issues. These matters are also a matter of responsibility to victims and work on them is a prerequisite to preventing these weapons from being used again. With this in mind, in our view, it is important to preserve relevant evidence and to bolster coordination between the OPCW and international mechanisms of inquiry in accordance with the respective mandates of each. Doing that will allow accountability and justice to advance, as they must, on the basis of credible procedures, verifiable evidence, and respect for international law. In light of the above, we welcome efforts made to integrate the chemical file into broader processes of justice and reconciliation in Syria, in accordance with relevant mechanisms. Progress achieved in recent months provide a glimmer of a turning point. on the chemical weapons file in Syria. For the first time in years, international efforts are beginning to assume the form of tangible measures for the elimination of the remnants identified and their verification on the ground. The cooperation between the Syrian authorities and the OPCW has fostered progress in Syria's declaration of new materials and facilities. It has also fostered the establishment of adequate verification mechanisms, the tabling of amendments to the initial declaration and the facilitation of the work of the technical secretariat. Moreover, we value progress made towards the destruction of recently identified chemical weapons. This includes agreements for the rarefication of storage facilities in Al-Qutayfa and Homs, and preparations preparation done rather to destroy category three aerial bombs. It is also in our view vital that verification activities be able to unfold in adequate security conditions. With that in mind, we reiterate the importance of ensuring that Syria is able to continue travelling down the path of peace. It must be able to remain outside the fray of regional tensions. These are both vital conditions to ensure that the important work outlined above can continue. President, the complete and verifiable elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons program must remain a common goal of the international community. Panama encourages the preservation of the momentum seen in terms of cooperation. This momentum must be harnessed to resolve outstanding issues, bolster trust and lay the foundations for a future in which chemical weapons never again form part of Syria's day-to-day reality, nor of that of any other people. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Panama for that statement. I give the floor to the representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Mr. President, and allow me first to congratulate you on assuming the presidency and on behalf of the whole of Team Denmark, thank you for the kind words. I assure you of Denmark's full support during this month. I also would like to thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her informative briefing and welcome the Syrian PR to this meeting. We appreciated hearing from you early in the meeting. Since the Council last addressed the situation in Syria just last week, the Danish Foreign Minister travelled to Damascus and reopened our embassy after 14 years of closure. We look forward to enhancing our cooperation with Syria on many important areas, including on the chemical weapons file. Mr. President, 13 years ago, the international community was shocked as rockets filled with deadly sarin killed more than 1,000 innocent civilians, including many children in Ghouta. The images of this appalling attack of children, the elderly, and entire families killed by an illegal nerve agent stands clear in memory to this day. We reiterate that there has to be accountability for these heinous crimes. Today, 13 years later, this Council must stay united. We must strictly enforce the prohibition on chemical weapons and stand firm in upholding international law and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Mr. President, while the road ahead remains challenging, there is cause for optimism. Over the past 18 months, substantial progress has been achieved. This would not have been possible without the sustained commitment and efforts of the Government of Syria. The reactivation of Syria's rights and privileges at the Executive Council of the OPCW in July marks an important milestone for the cooperation between Syria and the OPCW, and we welcome this development. We also commend the enhanced cooperation between Syria and the IAEA on outstanding safeguards issues in the nuclear field. Since our last meeting in June, the Syrian military has also uncovered more of the Assad regime's hidden chemical weapons program and have found chemical precursors and materials. All material and facilities must be identified, registered and destroyed in accordance with international standards. We also welcome that the process of destruction of some materials has now begun, as we heard from the USG Nagamitsu and the PR of Syria. We commend Syria for working in accordance with OPCW safeguards and working towards closing the file and the remaining 19 outstanding issues. Mr. President, in closing, Denmark fully supports the closure of the remaining 19 outstanding issues on this file as soon as possible. However, doing so will require continued and strong international support. Accountability must be ensured and all perpetrators responsible for chemical attacks must be brought to justice. Denmark will continue to work within this Council with international partners, including the Syrian-led Breath of Freedom Coalition and the Syrian authorities, to build a future Syria free from the scourge of chemical weapons. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Denmark for her statement and I give the floor to the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Thank you, Mr. President.

At the outset, I would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for the month of September. We wish you luck in your endeavor. I would also like to thank Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, for her important briefing on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118. I also welcome the participation of our dear brother, the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, and the representative of Turkey in today's session. Mr. President, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomes the latest report of the OPCW, which contained positive and tangible developments in addressing the chemical weapons file in the Syrian Arab Republic. We express our appreciation for the cooperation and coordination between the Syrian government and the OPCW Technical Secretariat, which resulted in significant progress in the latest period. In this regard, the Kingdom commends the steps taken to update the initial declaration, disclose additional facilities, material and ammunition, and facilitate inspection and verification activities and provide relevant information and documents. We also welcome the progress made towards the commencement of the destruction of declared chemical aerial bombs under the supervision and verification of the OPCW and arrangements made on the storage facilities in Al-Qutayfa and Homs. We also welcome the decision of the Executive Council of the OPCW to restore the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic in the OPCW. This decision reflects the international recognition of the progress made and the constructive cooperation between the new Syrian government and the OPCW. This is a positive step that would support moving forward with this positive track. Mr. President, We express our full support to the Chemical Weapons Convention and we categorically reject the use of these weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstance. We reaffirm the importance of accountability and non impunity. We also encourage to build on this positive momentum and to continue to cooperate with the OPCW to resolve pending matters related to the Syrian declaration on a technical professional and objective basis in order to make further progress to fully and comprehensively resolve this file. In this regard, we welcome the information and facilities provided to the OPCW teams to access locations and witnesses. In conclusion, the Kingdom of Bahrain reaffirms that the progress made and the responsible and constructive cooperation between the Syrian Government and the OPCW are a genuine opportunity to resolve and close this file once and for all. We call on the international community to continue to support the Syrian Arab Republic and the OPCW in their joint efforts to contribute to strengthening the security and stability of Syria and the region. I thank you, Mr. President.

I thank the representative of Bahrain for her statement. I give the floor to the representative of the United Kingdom.

Mr. President, let me start by congratulating France on assuming the Presidency for the month of September, and I also thank the delegation of Denmark for their excellent stewardship of the Council for the month of August. I thank High Representative Nakazumi for her briefing and also welcome the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey to this meeting. In addition to others, I also echo my thanks to the outgoing OPCW Director General Arias for his leadership over the past eight years, and the United Kingdom warmly welcomes his successor Sabrina Delfa and looks forward to working closely with her. Colleagues, Syria has made important progress in dismantling the Assad regime's chemical weapons programme, but we must begin by remembering why this work matters. Last month marked the anniversary of the 2013 Ghouta attack. We remember and honour the more than 1,400 men, women and children killed when the Assad regime used sarin nerve agent against its own people. The use of these weapons was a grave violation of international law and one of the darkest chapters of the Syrian conflict. The UK will continue to support efforts to secure accountability and bring the perpetrators to justice. In recent months, Syria has made further progress. Working with the OPCW, it has taken steps to identify and declare legacy munitions and materials. In July, the OPCW Executive Council restored Syria's rights and privileges under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The UK was proud to co-sponsor this important decision, and it reflects the international confidence in Syria's renewed cooperation. But this was an important step, not the end of the task. We will continue to work with Syria towards the complete and verified destruction of the remaining Assad-era chemical weapons, and the full implementation of its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. We also welcome yesterday's announcement by the OPCW of the verified mechanical destruction of chemical munitions in Syria, the first since 2014. The United Kingdom is proud to play a leading role in these efforts. Since December 2024, we have contributed over $4.7 million to the OPCW Syria Trust Fund, And we've also committed nearly $9.5 million in additional bilateral funding for Syrian-led destruction efforts. We remain committed to the Syrian-led Breadth of Freedom Task Force. By bringing together Syria, international partners, and the OPCW, the task force is sustaining momentum, mobilizing technical expertise, and driving practical progress towards eradicating chemical weapons from Syria. President, progress on destruction must be matched by progress on accountability. The United Kingdom remains committed to supporting the OPW's investigative mechanisms. Those responsible for Assad regime's use of chemical weapons must be identified and held accountable. The victims and survivors of these attacks, including in Ghouta, deserve truth, justice and accountability. President, Syria's progress deserves recognition and continued international support. That progress must lead to the complete and verified destruction of the Assad regime's chemical weapons programme. It must be accompanied by truth, justice and accountability for its victims. Chemical weapons have no place in Syria or anywhere in the world.

Thank you. I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for her statement. I give the floor to the representative of China.

President, I congratulate France on assuming the Presidency of the Council this month. The Chinese delegation will cooperate fully with you and your colleagues. I would also like to take this opportunity to commend Denmark for its work during its Presidency last month. I thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing and I welcome the Permanent Representatives of Syria and the Representative of Turkey to this meeting. China notes that for some time now, the Syrian Transitional Government has been fulfilling its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, establishing a Syrian national authority, strengthening its staffing and actively cooperating with the OPCW Technical Secretariat. Since October last year, Syria has resumed submitting monthly reports and recently submitted declaration amendments. China welcomes this development. China understands Syria's desire to reinstate its rights under the Convention and joined the consensus on the relevant decisions of the OPCW Executive Council at its 112th session. China encourages Syria to seize this opportunity to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation with the Technical Secretariat, strictly implement the Convention, determine as soon as possible the full inventory of any sensitive chemical substances that may remain in Syria and complete their destruction, promptly inform States Parties of progress, ensure that the destruction meets standards of verifiability and irreversibility, and reach conclusions that can stand the test of history. The accountability function of the Investigation and Identification Team and the Office of Special Missions exceed the mandate under the Convention, and their establishment is highly controversial. The accountability mechanisms on Syria's chemical weapons have further politicized OPCW, seriously undermining its authority and effectiveness. Restoring OPCW's technical nature is a key condition for resolving the issue of Syria's chemical weapons. Upon completion of the Syria-related mandate, the mechanisms should be terminated accordingly. Their accountability mandate must not be entrenched or expanded so as to avoid further division and confrontation. The technical secretariat must strictly adhere to the mandate under the convention, uphold an objective and impartial position, proceed from facts, and address allegations of chemical weapons use In strict accordance with the Convention, the Technical Secretariat must effectively implement the spirit and requirements of the UNAD initiative on improving quality and efficiency, enhance the quality and relevance of its monthly reports, avoid repeating previous content and increase the transparency of its work. President, the issue of Syria's chemical weapons has been under discussion for more than a decade, and its early closure is the shared aspiration of all parties. China supports Syria in advancing a broad and inclusive political transition based on the principle of Syrian-led and Syria-owned, eliminating the root causes of conflict, promoting internal reconciliation, focusing its valuable resources on development, and opening a new chapter in national reconstruction at an early date. Under the Convention and its annexes, States parties have a responsibility to take protective measures for suspected chemical weapons discovered within their territories to prevent the risk of proliferation. The Syrian transitional government should draw full lessons from the incident involving the unauthorized destruction of steel cylinders suspected of being chemical weapons, strengthen institutional development as well as personnel training, provision and management, and in particular establish an internal firewall mechanism to prevent unrelated government personnel from accessing suspected hazardous chemicals, thereby avoiding the recurrence of similar incidents. Given the ongoing terrorist activities within Syria, the Syrian transitional government should remain vigilant, take effective measures, and resolutely combat all international terrorist organizations listed by the Security Council, including ATIM, and resolutely prevent terrorists from acquiring hazardous chemicals, chemical weapons, and sensitive technologies. Finally, China reiterates its support for safeguarding Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity. We firmly oppose the use of chemical weapons by anyone, under any circumstances and for any purpose. Whoever uses chemical weapons should be universally condemned. I thank you, President.

I thank the representative of China for that statement. I give the floor to the representative of Latvia.

Thank you, Mr. President. And I would also like to start with conveying our sincere thanks to France for taking up the presidency of September and my delegation wishes you every success and you can count on our support.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Denmark for their dedicated, professional and exemplary steering of Council's work last month. And I thank the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Nakamitsu, for her informative briefing and also the Director General of the OPCW for the report. And I welcome the participation of permanent representative of the Syrian Arab Republic to this meeting and thank him for the update. Mr. President, the political transition in Syria has been truly impressive. And perhaps the most striking illustration of this positive reversal has been in the chemical weapons track, an area in which Syria under the brutal Assad regime had long been the worst example globally. has transformed into an example of transparent and constructive cooperation with the international community in efforts to rid the country of any remnants of chemical weapons, paving the path towards accountability for those responsible. The pursuit of justice for the victims and survivors of these crimes is an integral part of Syria's transition and recovery. As Hal had said a couple of weeks ago during the commemoration of atrocious chemical attack against Syrian civilians, men, women and children in Ghouta. Mr. President, Syria's commitment is demonstrated by numerous investigations, both nationally and in cooperation with international partners such as the UN and the OPCW. The important work being done by the OPCW on the ground through its technical secretariat in cooperation with the Syrian authorities cannot be overstated. We have already seen significant results with new findings of previously undeclared chemical weapons and facilities, along with a wealth of information for further analysis. We therefore welcome continued submissions of amendments to Syria's initial declaration and further deployments of the technical secretariat. These efforts are yielding progress, but further regional and international support is needed to fully eliminate any trace of the Assad-era chemical weapons programme. The Press of Freedom Task Force is an important platform for achieving exactly this, and we applaud Syria's leadership in coordinating these efforts. The recent decision of the OPCW Executive Council to reinstate the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic under the convention is a well-deserved success of the Syrian authorities and serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of compliance with international norms. State parties to the convention must uphold the essential norm of a complete and total ban on chemical weapons and recognize that the use of chemical weapons is completely unacceptable. Other important decisions relating to Syria were also taken by the Executive Council, including on the agreed plan for the destruction of category three chemical weapons. This is a strong vote of confidence in the growing capabilities of the Syrian authorities. Mr. President, the practical efforts undertaken by Syrian experts on the ground are being matched by the country's international outreach. The request to join the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons is the latest meaningful step. And we also welcome the determined compliance of the Syrian authorities with non-proliferation norms beyond the Chemical Weapons Convention. In an age of renewed threats to nuclear non-proliferation, Syria has volunteered information on nuclear material that was previously undeclared under the Assad regime. Immediate cooperation with the IAEA followed, and we are pleased to note an agreement on practical steps to bring this material under the safeguards of the agency in accordance with the NPT safeguards agreements. And we look forward to further developments in this regard. In conclusion, allow me to reiterate Latvia's full support to our common goal, a Syria free of chemical weapons and prohibition of use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, and at any time. I thank you.

I thank the representative of Latvia for her statement. I give the floor to the representative of Pakistan.

Mr. President, congratulations on assuming the presidency. Please be assured of our full support and cooperation. We also express our deep appreciation to Denmark on the remarkable conduct of the Presidency last month. I thank Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. We welcome the participation of the representatives of Syria and Turkey in today's meeting. We took careful note of the remarks shared by the distinguished PR of Syria and welcome the continued positive momentum in addressing the Syrian chemical weapons file. The constructive approach demonstrated by the new Syrian Government and their sustained engagement with the OPCW Technical Secretariat have created a genuine opportunity to make progress on issues that have remained unresolved for many years. Developments during the reporting period are encouraging. We take positive note of the two communications transmitted by the Syrian Arab Republic, including its review of locations that may have been associated with chemical weapons activities as previously shared by the Technical Secretariat, and its initial assessment of the two newly declared storage facilities. These steps demonstrate the continued commitment of the Syrian authorities to engage substantively with the Secretariat. We also welcome the latest monthly report submitted by the Syrian National Authority concerning activities on its territory related to the destruction of chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities. This demonstrates the dedication of the Syrian Government to address an issue which has haunted the conscience of the global community for years. Mr. President, as reported, 19 of the 26 outstanding issues concerning Syria's initial declaration remain to be resolved. Many of these are complex and longstanding matters. We are encouraged that the present cooperation between the Syrian Government and the Technical Secretariat offers a more conducive environment for addressing them. We are confident that this engagement will continue to yield concrete progress. As this work advances, adequate international support remains important. The Syrian authorities continue to face technical, institutional and capacity constraints in dealing with a highly complex legacy file. The international community should complement Syria's efforts and cooperation with the necessary technical assistance and capacity building, so that the process can move forward effectively. Equally important is an environment in which this technical work can proceed safely and without disruption. Continued instability, as well as the occupation of Syrian territory and military strikes against Syrian sites and facilities, complicate the work of both the Syrian Government and the OPCW. Pakistan reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria. Mr. President, Pakistan remains unequivocally opposed to the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. We attach great importance to the Chemical Weapons Convention as a cornerstone of the global disarmament architecture and support its full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation. The progress achieved under the new Syrian Government deserves recognition and encouragement. The way forward lies in reinforcing the present atmosphere of cooperation and trust between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat. We remain hopeful that sustained engagement, international support and independent technical verification will enable the remaining issues to be progressively resolved and bring us to the eventual closure of the Syrian chemical weapons file. I thank you very much.

I thank the representative of Pakistan for that statement. I now give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

Mr. President, allow me to congratulate you on assuming the presidency of the Security Council for this month. We wish you every success and, once again, assure you of our full support for you this month. I'd also like to take this opportunity to recognise Denmark's stewardship of the Council last month, and I thank them for their leadership. We thank the High Representative, Izumi Nakayama, for her briefing. Moreover, I wish to welcome the Permanent Representatives that accompany us today to the Chamber. In view of the briefings delivered, I wish to make the following comments. Firstly, Colombia welcomes the progress reflected in the OPCW report. Colombia underscores the readiness of the transitional government to cooperate with the Organisation. That cooperation has made it possible to incorporate new information into the Syrian declaration, to verify recently identified facilities and, in a matter of particular significance in our view, it has made it possible to advance preparations for the destruction of chemical materials under international control. These steps stand an important opportunity to shed light once and for all on the extent of the chemical programme under the previous regime and to bolster compliance with obligations arising from the CWC. Against this backdrop, we encourage the continuation of an open and sustained dialogue between Syria and the OPCW. Moreover, we are of the view that it is vital for the international community to maintain its financial, technical and logistical support as necessary. to the organisation so that they can fully discharge their verification, inspection and assistance mandates on the ground. Secondly, my country notes that significant challenges remain that require urgent attention, Colombia underscores the importance of adequately preserving the sites, materials and information that are relevant for investigations underway. Efforts designed to identify, declare and eliminate any chemical weapons remnant are vital prerequisites to preventing future risks, bolstering international confidence and supporting the country's stabilization. Thirdly, my delegation takes note of reports 154 and 155. These affirm that security conditions continue to hamper some of the operational activities of the OPCW. The postponement of specific visits and investigations lay bare the need to have a more favourable environment for the conduct of the verification and investigative tasks on the organisation's agenda. In this connection, we appeal to all relevant parties to guarantee adequate security conditions and timely, safe and unfettered access for OPCW personnel so that they can fully discharge their mandate. To conclude, President, my country wishes to hail the work of the OPCW. We reiterate unequivocal condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by any actor and under any circumstance. The complete and verifiable elimination of these weapons, together with shedding light on how they were used in the past, remain vital tasks to buttress Syria's efforts and to actively contribute to international peace and security. Thank you, President.

I thank the representative of Colombia for that statement. I am now going to make a statement as the representative of France.

I would like to thank the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, for her briefing. I would also like to welcome to the meeting the permanent representative of Syria, and I'd like to thank him for his statement. Just a few days ago, on the 21st of August, we commemorated the 30th anniversary, 30th rather, anniversary of the massacre in Eastern Ghouta during which the Assad regime used sarin gas against its own population. Combating chemical weapons is a duty to its victims of these inhumane weapons and a question of humanity. France stands shoulder to shoulder with the new Syrian authorities and the Syrian people in their efforts to carry out a political transition to a free, stable and sovereign Syria. The President of the Republic reiterated this on the 6th and 7th of July during his visit to Syria that opened a new chapter in Franco-Syrian relations. The priorities of this new chapter include the commitment of our two countries to combat impunity of those who have perpetrated the use of chemical weapons and to strive for their complete elimination, the weapons and programmes. Here we support the request made by Syria to join the International Partnership Against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons. We also support Syria in its cooperation with the OPCW. Over recent months, Syria and the OPCW have carried out significant progress in making an inventory of the remnants of the chemical programme of the Assad period and in preparing for their safe and verifiable destruction. We welcome in particular that Syria has sent amendments to update its national declaration on its chemical programme, recent deployments of OPCW teams to visit newly declared sites, declared by Syria and the finalisation of a plan to destroy chemical aerial bombs. Each discovery really helps us to understand the scale of the use by the Assad regime of these and illustrates how much more progress needs to be made to support the Syrian government in terms of their complete destruction, the specific progress that shows Syria's desire to uphold its commitments, this progress justified the Executive Council of the OPCW reinstating Syria's rights and privileges as a state party to the CWC. France co-sponsored the decision and welcomes its adoption. We encourage Syria to continue its full cooperation with the OPCW, a precondition for the complete and verifiable elimination of its chemical programme. To achieve this, There are still immense needs, as stipulated in the most recent report of the OPCW's Director General. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted and stated to the Director General when he met her last week, France will remain mobilised to lend OPCW and Syria all necessary financial, technical, political and support in carrying out their work. So there is the reintegration programme of Syria in its regional environment and the international community. the this is a priority of the new Syrian authorities and this Council all countries in the region and the international community need to continue to support it actively. I now resume my function as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Turkey.

Thank you, Mr. President. Allow me to start by congratulating you on assuming presidency of the Council and wish you every success during your term. I would also like to thank High Representative Ms. Nakamitsu for her comprehensive briefing. Mr. President, chemical weapons file in Syria remains one of the gravest legacies of the Assad era. At the same time, there is now genuine cause for optimism. Syrian government has demonstrated its determination to address this legacy in close coordination with the international community in a transparent way. In this regard, we welcome the decision adopted by the Executive Council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in July to restore Syria's rights and privileges within the Organization. This important decision was made possible by the Syrian Government's commitment to fulfilling its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, as well as the concrete steps it has taken to cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat. We congratulate the Syrian Government and would particularly like to recognize the efforts of Ambassador Olaby, who played an instrumental role in making this breakthrough possible. We firmly believe that sustainable progress on the chemical weapons file can best be achieved through practical, gradual and well-coordinated cooperation with Syria, taking into account the realities on the ground. In this spirit, we continue to contribute to the Breath of Freedom Task Force, supporting the Syrian government in strengthening its technical and logistical capabilities. We are encouraged to see Syria moving steadily forward along this path. And we commend the professionalism, dedication, and tireless efforts of the OPCW Technical Secretariat and its teams on the ground. In this context, we welcome the agreement reached between the Syrian authorities and the Technical Secretariat on a detailed plan for verification of the destruction of Category III chemical weapons at the Al-Qutayfa Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility and approval of this plan by the OPCW Executive Council. We also welcome two separate facility agreements providing for the systemic verification of the Al-Qutayfa and Al-Homs chemical weapons storage facilities. Likewise, we welcome the deployment of a technical secretariat team to Syria to conduct an inspection aimed at verifying the destruction of category three chemical weapons and we look forward to its report on the outcome of this inspection. Mr. President, we should also recognize the considerable challenges associated with identifying, consolidating, securing, and preparing chemical materials for destruction. The time required for this process is partly a consequence of the clandestine nature of the former regime's chemical weapons program, and the resulting difficulties in establishing a comprehensive picture of its scope. These challenges have been further compounded by Israeli airstrikes targeting potential chemical weapons-related sites following the fall of the former regime. Such actions carry serious risks. They may cause the release of hazardous materials and endanger civilian populations in surrounding areas. They may also result in the destruction of evidence that could prove indispensable for establishing the facts and ensuring accountability for past chemical weapons attacks you mentioned in your speech. Despite these challenges, Turkey will continue to contribute to efforts aimed at strengthening Syria's preparedness, readiness, and technical capacity to address this matter in accordance with OPCW standards. In this spirit, we look forward to the upcoming meeting of the Breath of Freedom Task Force in The Hague next week. Mr. President, building on the progress in chemical weapons file, we are pleased to see Syria also developing cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the nuclear file. These developments show that Syria is increasingly willing to go further in fulfilling its international obligations in non-proliferation matters. These developments also demonstrate that constructive engagement and sustained international support can produce tangible results. Such support should therefore continue. In closing, we reiterate our strong support for the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned efforts to address the chemical weapons file, and encourage all Member States to extend their full support. Our collective objective should remain clear: to conclusively close this dark chapter and achieve a Syria that is permanently free of chemical weapons. Thank you.

I thank the representative of Turkey for that statement. There are no more names inscribed on the list of speakers. The meeting is adjourned.