Statement by the Brazilian Delegation at the UNSC Consultations on the Middle East (Syria) - September 29th, 2022

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to thank USG Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. I would also like to thank the OPCW Director-General for his latest report. Once again, we meet in this Chamber in a context where little seems to have changed in the situation on the ground or in the relationship between the Syrian Arab Republic and the Organization. It seems by now incontrovertible that the frequency of these meetings has to change.

While regular OPCW reports continue to be a valuable tool for monitoring this file, holding monthly meetings of the Council when the reports point to little or no relevant developments on the ground does not seem efficient in terms of both time and resources.

Mr. President,

In the face of the absence of new developments in the Syrian chemical weapons file, allow me, once again, 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.