A3 JOINT-STATEMENT AT THE UNSC BRIEFING ON SYRIA

  Delivered by

H.E. Ambassador Lewis G. Brown II, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations

10th March 2026

Thank you, Mr. President,

1. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3 members, namely, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and my own Country, Liberia.

2. We thank the Deputy High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Adedeji Ebo, for his briefing, and we have listened carefully to Mr. Moore’s and Mr. Phillips’ remarks.

3. We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic in today’s meeting.

Mr. President,

4. At the outset, the A3 reiterates its unwavering commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity.

5. The A3 reaffirms our commitment to the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and reiterates its unequivocal condemnation of the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, and under any circumstances. Upholding this principle is therefore not merely a legal obligation; it is a moral imperative.

6. We further underscore that accountability, cooperation, and verification remain indispensable pillars of upholding the Convention’s integrity.

7. Against this background, the A3 wishes to highlight the following:

8. First, we note the Secretary-General’s letter transmitting the 149th monthly report of the Director-General of the OPCW, which reflects continued technical progress and engagement between the Syrian government and the Technical Secretariat.

9. We welcome the continued reorganization of activities through the Office of Special Missions (OSM) and the re-establishment of a continuous OPCW Mission presence in the Syrian Arab Republic since October 2025.

10. These developments, alongside the re-established National Authority and the appointment of a new Permanent Representative to the OPCW, demonstrate a constructive framework for sustained cooperation shown by the Syrian government at this critical juncture.

11. Second, the A3 welcomes the successful deployments conducted during the reporting period, specifically the visit to the Aleppo area from 27 to 29 January 2026 to assess storage containers and cylinders.

12. We further acknowledge the Syrian government’s cooperation in handing over 34 boxes of documentation in Damascus on 15 January 2026.

13. This collection of over 6,000 documents and the ongoing analysis of samples and witness interviews represent indispensable steps toward building international trust and providing necessary clarifications on the Syrian chemical weapons programme.

14. Third, while progress is important, clarity remains essential. The A3 supports the ongoing work of the Technical Secretariat to address the remaining outstanding issues, including those involving potentially undeclared chemical warfare agents and munitions.

15. However, we note with concern the reports regarding the disappearance and reported destruction of undeclared cylinders in the Aleppo area. We encourage the Syrian government to provide the results of its ongoing investigation to the Secretariat to ensure all verification requirements are met.

16. Fourth, the A3 recognizes the importance of the "needs and gaps assessment" prepared by the Secretariat. Therefore, the work of the OPCW Technical Secretariat must continue to receive the support it requires. The A3 urges the international community to ensure that the Secretariat has the financial and technical resources necessary to carry out its mandate effectively.

Mr. President,

17. While we are encouraged by the technical progress, we remain concerned by the broader security environment.

18. The A3 underlines that sustainable progress requires the full and sustained cooperation between the Syrian government and the OPCW; adequate international funding and technical resources; and the prevention of chemical weapons or related materials from falling into the hands of criminals or terrorist groups.

To conclude, Mr. President,

19. History reminds us that difficult disarmament challenges are rarely resolved in a single moment. They are resolved through persistence, cooperation, and a steady commitment to transparency. When those elements come together, even the most complex files can be resolved.

20. Therefore, the A3 encourages continued dialogue and pragmatic engagement between the Syrian Arab Republic and the OPCW to resolve all outstanding issues and permanently close this long-standing file.

I thank you.