At a time when the re-emergence of chemical weapons is a major threat, the role of the OPCW is essential [fr]

Mr. President,

I thank Ms. Nakamitsu and Mr. Arias for their briefings.

The presence of the Director-General of the OPCW among us is an opportunity for me to remind him of France’s full support for the Organization and to thank him for his commitment to our collective security.

At a time when the re-emergence of chemical weapons is a major threat, the role of the OPCW is essential. We must support it and defend it when faced with mendacious accusations that call into question its impartiality and credibility.

The Organization, under the leadership of Mr. Arias, was able to maintain the required level of professionalism and impartiality. Here I would like to commend, once again, the remarkable work done by the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team that led to the publication, in April this year, of a report establishing the responsibility of the Syrian regime for chemical weapon attacks in Ltamenah in March 2017.

The regime, as we state every month, continues to ignore its cooperation obligations. The absence of clarity on the status of stockpiles, in contradiction with the provisions of resolution 2118, which was adopted more than seven years ago, is unacceptable.

The decision, submitted by France on behalf of 40 delegations and adopted at the 94th Session of the OPCW Executive Council last July, was nevertheless clear on the obligations of the regime in terms of cooperation with the Organization. Faced with the observation that these obligations continue to be flouted by the regime, France officially submitted, on November 24, on behalf of 46 delegations from 4 geographical groups, a draft decision to the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW to take the necessary collective measures. This decision will be on the agenda of the Conference of States Parties when it meets again by April 2021. We call on States Parties to learn lessons from the report of the OPCW Director-General of 14 October, which leaves no room for doubt.

The fight against impunity and the total prohibition of the use of chemical weapons remain our priorities in the Syrian dossier. It is one of the essential and necessary pillars for a political solution that will allow for lasting peace in Syria. This fight is also the foundation for the effectiveness and credibility of the prohibition regime.

France will remain fully mobilized to face, together with its partners, the threat posed by chemical weapons to our global security. This is the aim of our continued mobilization in support of the International Partnership against Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons that we launched, with our partners, in 2018.

Thank you.