Mr. President,

We thank High Representative Nakamitsu for her briefing.

We also commend the independence, impartiality and utmost professionalism continuously upheld by the OPCW’s Technical Secretariat.

Mr. President,

The last report of the OPCW Director General shows that the outstanding issues in relation to the Syrian regime’s initial and subsequent declarations persist.

The OPCW still cannot consider that declaration as accurate and complete.

Moreover, the regime is obstructing the work of the Declaration Assessment Team (DAT) inside Syria by not issuing visas, and placing conditions on meeting the DAT in Beirut.

Furthermore, the OPCW Secretariat is still waiting for responses to its inquiries regarding the regime’s chemical weapons production facilities and the unauthorized movement of chlorine cylinders used in 2018 Douma attack.

We call on the Syrian regime to fully cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat and provide the necessary information, as they are obligated to do so under the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Mr. President,

The current investigations by the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) are critical if we are to establish the truth about chemical weapons use in Syria.

We look forward to the completion of ongoing investigations, in particular the next IIT report on the Douma attack of 2018.

Mr. President,

Last Wednesday, November 30th, was the Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare.

A day to honor the innocent lives lost due to the repeated chemical weapons attacks.

It is our collective responsibility not only to remember the victims but to know how many victims there are, ensure there are no further victims and pave the way for accountability for the chemical weapons use in Syria.

The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable under any circumstances. Impunity for those who deployed chemical weapons cannot be allowed to pass.

Mr. President,

The lack of progress in this file underlines the failure of the Council in fulfilling its mandate.

Questioning the cycle of the meetings will not bring justice or accountability.

The OPCW needs support of the Council, not discouragement.

Moreover, we must keep in mind that these monthly meetings serve not only as an opportunity for the Security Council to receive updates on his file.

But these meetings send a message each month to the families of victims that the United Nations has not forgotten them, that we will do everything in our power to ensure accountability for crimes committed, which is a prerequisite to a meaningful and lasting peace in Syria.

Therefore, as a neighbor of Syria, we believe that the Council's continued regular consideration of the Syrian chemical weapons program is a necessary and crucially important item on the monthly calendar.

Thank you.