Mr. President,

We thank Deputy High Representative Ebo for his briefing.

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

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

Due to identified gaps, inconsistencies, and discrepancies that remain unresolved, the OPCW Secretariat still cannot consider that declaration as accurate and complete.

Moreover, OPCW Secretariat’s efforts to organize the next round of consultations with Declaration Assessment Team either in Syria or Beirut were unsuccessful so far.

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 related to the 2018 Douma attack.

At the next Council meeting, we look forward to receiving information on the results of the limited in-country activities, to be carried out by OPCW Technical Secretariat’s reduced team, from 17 to 22 January 2023 in Syria.

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 work of the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) and current investigations by 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 study and investigations by the FFM and IIT, including their next reports.

Mr. President,

The use of chemical weapons is unacceptable under any circumstances.

It is our collective responsibility to ensure accountability for this egregious crime and honour the hundreds of innocent lives lost due to the chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Lastly, Mr President, as a country neighboring Syria, we believe that the Council's continued regular consideration of the Syrian chemical weapons program is a necessary and crucial item on the monthly calendar.

Thank you