Executive Council Reinstates the Rights and Privileges of Syria Under Chemical Weapons Convention

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Council, acting on authority delegated by the Conference of the States Parties, adopted a draft decision at its 112th session on July 9, 2026 to reinstate the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic at the OPCW. The suspension had been in place since 2021.

The OPCW said the decision followed a “significant change in circumstances” after the fall of the Assad regime. It noted that the new Syrian authorities committed to fulfilling Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and have taken steps to cooperate with the OPCW Technical Secretariat.

In particular, the Executive Council welcomed progress connected to outstanding issues from the chemical weapons dossier inherited from the former government. This included amending Syria’s initial declaration, preparing facility agreements, facilitating verification activities, and taking initial steps toward destruction of identified remnants. The OPCW also said it approved:

a detailed plan for verification of the destruction of Category 3 chemical weapons at Al Qutayfah; and two separate facility agreements for systematic verification at the Al Qutayfah and Homs storage facilities.

The decision was co-sponsored by 67 states parties and adopted by consensus. The OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias said the decisions create a “robust framework” for the next phase of verification and destruction activities, under the Executive Council’s aegis.

Even with the reinstatement, the OPCW stated Syria remains required to meet its Convention obligations, and the Executive Council will continue reviewing progress and taking decisions needed to advance the verified elimination of remaining chemical weapons associated with the former Syrian government.