Chemical weapons have no place in Syria, or anywhere in the world: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Kate Foster, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
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.
We have also committed nearly $9.5 million in additional bilateral funding for Syrian-led destruction efforts.
We remain committed to the Syrian-led Breath of Freedom Task Force.
By bringing together Syria, international partners, and the OPCW, the Task Force is sustaining momentum, mobilising 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 OPCW’s investigative mechanisms.
Those responsible for the 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.