Damascus Votes in Favor of New UN Resolution on Implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention

Syria voted in favor of a new United Nations draft resolution concerning the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including its specific provisions within the text of the resolution.

Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Alabi, said during the session that the resolution represents “a qualitative step toward exposing the disinformation suffered by the Syrian people,” considering the vote “a form of justice for Syria after years of politicization in the chemical weapons file.”

Alabi added that his country looks forward to international support in dealing with the “heavy legacy” it inherited in this matter, emphasizing the importance of cooperation to eliminate any potential remnants of the former chemical weapons program.

The vote comes as part of ongoing UN efforts to monitor the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, amid renewed controversy over allegations of chemical weapons use during the years of conflict in Syria.

Earlier, the Syrian Interim Government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons’ adoption of a decision aimed at accelerating the destruction of the remaining parts of Syria’s chemical program — the first resolution proposed on behalf of Syria within the organization since the formation of the new interim government, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had announced in 2014 the completion of its joint mission with the United Nations to destroy Syria’s declared stockpile of chemical weapons, while later continuing its investigations into allegations of toxic gas use in several areas.

In 2021, member states of the organization suspended some of Syria’s rights after investigation reports concluded that government forces were responsible for chemical attacks in the provinces of Hama and Idlib in 2017 and 2018.