Qatar calls for building on progress to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons remnants

The State of Qatar has commended the progress made in eliminating remnants of Syria's chemical weapons program from the previous regime, highlighting the significance of international cooperation in achieving tangible outcomes. This assessment was made during the 113th Session of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)'s Executive Council in The Hague, where Qatar's Ambassador to the Netherlands, Dr. Mutlaq bin Majed Al Qahtani, addressed the agenda item regarding the elimination of any remnants of the Syrian chemical weapons program inherited from the former regime.

Qatar's commitment to championing Syria's interests at the OPCW has contributed to the creation of an environment conducive to Syria's rights restoration and advancement on this protracted issue. Ambassador Al Qahtani emphasized that this partnership has facilitated a breakthrough in the process of removing the program's remnants through enhanced coordination, streamlined information and document sharing, and robust verification efforts.

To capitalize on this momentum, Al Qahtani urged the continuation of this progress by establishing a clear and actionable roadmap through collaboration between the Technical Secretariat and the Syrian government. This roadmap should encompass a timeline, phased implementation, and defined priorities in the pursuit of the full and verifiable elimination of the program's remnants and the resolution of the matter, in alignment with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the decisions of OPCW's bodies.

Furthermore, Al Qahtani urged all States Parties to persistently support Syria in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention, thus mitigating the risk of chemical weapons emergence or proliferation and enabling the Technical Secretariat to carry out its duties effectively and sustainably.