OPCW Reinstates Syria’s Voting Rights Following Notable Compliance Advances

Syria regains voting rights in the OPCW as new leadership makes progress in addressing chemical weapons issues.

Published On 9 Jul 20269 Jul 2026

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has restored Syria’s voting rights after noting that the country has taken concrete actions to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The decision follows significant improvements in Syria’s cooperation with the OPCW since the removal of the former regime.

Announced on Thursday, OPCW’s statement indicated that the re‑establishment of voting rights was based on a material shift in Syria’s compliance since the nation was suspended in 2021. The previous suspension had been imposed because the Assad government failed to disclose the full extent of its chemical weapons programme and was linked to repeated use of toxic gas during the civil conflict.

After a rapid offensive in 2024 ousted President Bashar al‑Assad, the new Syrian authorities pledged to honour the country’s commitments to the Convention. “The new Syrian authorities committed to fulfilling Syria’s obligations under the Convention and have since taken concrete steps to cooperate with the Technical Secretariat to achieve this goal,” the OPCW said.

Under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa’s government, Syria has begun facilitating verification operations and taken early measures to eliminate identified chemical weapon remnants.

“These decisions reflect the tangible progress achieved through continued cooperation and constructive engagement between the Technical Secretariat and the Syrian Arab Republic, with the support of the broader community of States Parties,” OPCW Director‑General Fernando Arias added.

Syria first joined the OPCW in 2013, agreeing to a supervised dismantlement of its stockpile. At that time the country was reported to hold roughly 1,000 tonnes of toxic agents. The agreement, brokered by Russia and the United States, was intended to avert a potential U.S. military strike.

The move came amid worldwide condemnation of a suspected chemical attack in the Damascus suburb of Ghouta in 2013.

U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the assault killed at least 1,400 people, including 426 children, and attributed it to the Syrian government with high confidence. The Assad regime denied responsibility and blamed rebel groups.

According to the OPCW, while Syria initially declared part of its chemical weapons programme, the former government never fully disclosed the total scope of its arsenal and tried to mislead inspectors about the programme’s size and capabilities.

Source link