Mr Chair, Director General, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues,
I would like to begin by welcoming Your Excellency, Ambassador Basri, as the new Executive Council Chair – you can count on the UK’s full support. My Thanks also to Ambassador Schieb for his service as the previous Chair of this Council. I also warmly welcome the new members of the Executive Council – we look forward to working closely with you over the next two years.
While this is the first Executive Council Session for some, it is, sadly, the last for others. The UK pays particular tribute to Director-General Fernando Arias and Deputy Director-General Odette Melono, whose shared leadership has helped ensure the OPCW is stronger, more agile and better equipped to confront an increasingly complex security environment. I thank you both, and all those leaving this summer, for your dedication and for the legacy you leave. The UK also welcomes the incoming DG, Ambassador Sabrina Dallafior and her team. I look forward to working closely with you and them.
Mr Chair,
Within this volatile security environment, confronting chemical weapons use must be this organisation’s top priority. Russia’s repeated and flagrant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention threatens the security of us all. Its actions demonstrate that it will not hesitate to use chemical weapons on the battlefield, against political opponents, and on the territory of other sovereign states.
Russia is systematically using riot control agents and toxic chemicals across the frontline in Ukraine. In 2018, Russia deployed a military-grade Novichok nerve agent on the streets of Salisbury in the UK seriously injuring several people and killing the British citizen, Dawn Sturgess. Thank you to the Technical Secretariat for your help in the response to this incident. In 2020, the Russian state used a Novichok nerve agent to poison opposition leader Alexei Navalny. It is highly likely that the Russian State used a deadly toxin, epibatidine, to poison Navalny while he was incarcerated in a Russian prison in 2024.
Russia has failed to provide credible responses to the questions regarding Navalny’s death submitted by France, on behalf of five States Parties, under CWC Article IX, paragraph 4. It must respond substantively, and in good faith, without further delay.
Those who violate the Chemical Weapons Convention, undermine international security and endanger our citizens, must be held accountable. That is why the United Kingdom announced further sanctions yesterday on two leading Russian scientific research centres and seven key individuals involved in the research, development and production of deadly Novichok nerve agents and the lethal toxin Epibatidine used in the poisoning of Alexei Navalny.
We also urge Sudan to publish the ultimate findings of its investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons.
Mr Chair,
Since the fall of the Assad Regime, Syria has taken a fundamentally different path. I pay tribute to everyone who has been involved in that effort. Syria has overcome significant challenges, working closely with the OPCW to uncover, declare and work towards eliminating the remnants of the former regime’s chemical weapons programme. Syria’s updated declaration, which includes previously undeclared Assad chemical weapons, materials and facilities, marks a historic milestone. With Council approval of important decisions this week – covering facilities agreements and destruction and verification plans – verified destruction is now firmly within reach.
The United Kingdom is honoured to assist these efforts through substantial funding, technical expertise and unwavering support for the OPCW’s Syria focused mandates. The Director General’s latest monthly report and indeed his update today demonstrates significant Syrian progress towards meeting its obligations. This progress should be recognised. We therefore support the reinstatement of Syria’s rights and privileges under this Convention, which currently has over 50 co-sponsors.
Mr Chair,
We remain steadfast in our commitment to this Organisation, and the Convention. In support of that commitment, I am pleased to announce a new package of extra-budgetary support aimed at strengthening capacity-building and the Organisation’s readiness to address emerging challenges. This includes an additional £500,000 for the OPCW’s Syria Mission, bringing the UK’s total contribution since the fall of Assad to more than £3.5 million.
And as chemical weapon threats evolve and technology advances, an effective, targeted, risk-based verification regime has never been more important. We thank the Chair and Coordinator of the Industry Cluster for their leadership. Returning to 241 industry inspections in 2027 is an important step in the right direction.
Last, but by no means least, the United Kingdom will also continue to advocate for an Organisation that draws strength from a diverse and geographically representative workforce. Efforts to mainstream gender across all areas of the OPCW’s work must accelerate.
Mr Chair,
The OPCW remains a cornerstone of the international security architecture and the guardian of the global norm against chemical weapons. Together, we must ensure it is equipped to meet the challenges of today and beyond.
Thank you.
