The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has announced plans to launch international working groups under Syrian leadership to address the legacy of the chemical weapons program left behind by the former Assad regime, which caused severe harm to the Syrian people.
The announcement was made during Syria’s participation in the 109th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague on Friday, July 11, where the Syrian delegation delivered an official statement highlighting progress in dismantling the country’s chemical weapons program.
According to the ministry’s statement, published on its official social media platforms, the OPCW Secretariat acknowledged Syria’s effective cooperation—facilitating field deployments, providing logistical support, and contributing to joint implementation plans.
Members of the Executive Council, the OPCW Director-General, and observer states expressed appreciation for Syria’s renewed efforts despite ongoing challenges. The move was seen as a break from years of obstruction attributed to the previous regime.
The delegations welcomed Syria’s commitment, especially following President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s meeting with the OPCW Director-General in Damascus and the address delivered by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at the Council’s previous session. Several states voiced support for continued constructive cooperation.
Syria was represented at the session by Ibrahim al-Alabi, adviser to the foreign minister and lead official on the chemical weapons file, who delivered the country’s statement and thanked Qatar for temporarily representing Syria’s interests at the OPCW. Al-Alabi also held bilateral meetings with member state delegations from various regional blocs.
In its statement, the foreign ministry reaffirmed Syria’s active engagement and commitment to implementing agreements made in international forums. It emphasized Syria’s determination to serve as a responsible and leading actor in the international community.
Following the fall of the Assad regime, President al-Sharaa met with an OPCW delegation led by Director-General Fernando Arias on February 8.
On March 5, Syria participated for the first time in its history in an OPCW Executive Council session in The Hague.
At the time, Foreign Minister al-Shibani stated on platform X that Syria’s participation reflected its commitment to global security and paid tribute to those who lost their lives in chemical attacks carried out by the former regime.
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