The UK has welcomed commitments by Syria’s new leadership to fully identify and eliminate remaining chemical weapons stockpiles, according to a statement delivered at the UN Security Council.
Speaking in New York, UK Deputy Political Coordinator Caroline Quinn said it was now a year since the fall of the Assad regime and argued that recent steps had created an opportunity to address legacy chemical weapons issues, the UK stated.
Quinn told the Council that “this new Syrian government has provided hope that Assad-era chemical weapons will be verifiably identified and eliminated, once and for all.” She said the UK welcomed Syria’s stated intention to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention and meet its obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 2118.
The statement highlighted progress made during 2025 through cooperation between Syria and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Quinn said “multiple OPCW deployments to Syria have increased our understanding of the scale and scope of Assad’s chemical weapons programme”, adding that evidence of undeclared capabilities remained “a stark reminder of the threat in Syria and to the wider region.”
She also pointed to decisions adopted by the OPCW allowing for expedited destruction of hazardous materials when discovered and steps taken in late 2025 toward restoring Syria’s rights and privileges within the organisation. The UK welcomed the establishment of a continuous OPCW presence in Syria and the appointment of a Syrian permanent representative in The Hague.
Quinn said that despite progress, major challenges remained, particularly around resources. She told the Council that “significant and sustainable financial and in-kind support from the international community is needed to deliver the elimination of Assad’s remnant chemical weapons programme.”
The UK, she said, had contributed more than $3.8 million since December 2024 to support OPCW missions in Syria and would continue to provide technical expertise. “We urge Council members and the wider international community to assist in this endeavour,” she added.
Closing her remarks, Quinn said the Security Council had debated Syria’s chemical weapons file for more than a decade and expressed hope that 2026 would see further progress. “With clear commitment from Syria’s leadership to eradicate chemical weapons and to seek accountability for their use, we hope to see continued progress in 2026 to deliver these important outcomes for the Syrian people.”
I wouldn’t be so quick to trust the word of a government who is not only led by a “former” Islamist but also a government whose militias have committed massacre’s against the Alawite and Druze communities in its first year in power
But it would hardly be the first mistake Labour has made, so do what you do best I guess
Not quite sure what you want them to do in this situation? Not show support for the pledge?
All the UK really said was that it hoped to see further OPCW action in the coming years.