Statement by the Delegation of Brazil on the Situation on the Middle-East (Syria) - December 5th, 2022

Madam President,

At the outset, I would like to thank the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, for her briefing. I would also like to thank the OPCW Director-General for his latest report.

Like in previous months, little seems to have changed in the situation on the ground or in the relationship between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Organization. This reinforces our perception that there is a mismatch in the frequency of these meetings.

While the Council should pay close attention to the progress in the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria, holding monthly meetings when there is little or no relevant development on the ground does not seem efficient in terms of both time and resources.

Brazil welcomes efforts made to hold a meeting between representatives of the OPCW and Syrian authorities in Beirut last month. We regret that the meeting could not take place.

Furthermore, we take note of the submission by the Syrian Arab Republic of a document entitled "The General National Document Regarding the Cooperation of the Syrian Arab Republic with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) between 2013 and 2022", and we look forward to the circulation of said document by the OPCW Secretariat. 

Madam President,

In the face of the absence of relevant recent developments in the Syrian chemical weapons file, allow me to reaffirm our traditional positions on the matter.

Chemical weapons are utterly incompatible with international humanitarian law and, therefore, must have no place in the practices and doctrines of today’s world. The use of such weapons violates international agreements and poses serious threats to international peace and security. Incidents must be addressed with transparency and be subject to thorough and impartial investigations, in accordance with the CWC.

I thank you.