The situation in the Middle East - Security Council, 10164th meeting

‘Momentous discovery’ marks ‘major leap forward’ in accountability for Syria’s chemical weapons, Security Council told.

• Categories: Meetings & Events / Security Council
• Video Length: 01:22:53
• Production Date: 4 June 2026
• Asset Language: Arabic; English; French; Russian; Spanish; Chinese; Original
• Personal Subject: IZUMI NAKAMITSU
• Corporate Name: ORGANISATION FOR THE PROHIBITION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS - OPCW
• Subject Topical: CHEMICAL WEAPONS; DISARMAMENT; INTERNATIONAL LAW; INTERNATIONAL PEACE AND SECURITY; MIDDLE EAST SITUATION; NON-PROLIFERATION; ACCOUNTABILITY; SYRIA SITUATION
• Geographic Subject: MIDDLE EAST; SYRIA
• MAMS Id: 3582801
• Parent Id: 3581644
• Alternate Title: MTG SC 10164 MIDDLE EAST 04 JUN 2026 AM

Description

The discovery of previously undeclared chemical weapons in Syria — including the types infamously used in the town of Ghouta in 2013 — marks a “momentous” step forward for the global community, the Security Council heard today, as the UN’s senior disarmament official updated members on recent developments.

“This is a critical opportunity for the [global] disarmament and non-proliferation regime,” said Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.

Briefing the 15-member Council on the latest international efforts to implement resolution 2118 (2013) — which called for the complete elimination of Syria’s chemical weapons programme — she recalled that the Organisation on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had, since 2014, been unable to confirm that the country’s declaration on its chemical weapons was “accurate and complete”. The declaration was widely considered dubious as it was submitted by the Government of the former President of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in 2024.

• Briefer: Izumi Nakamitsu, Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs.

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UN Meetings Coverage

S/PV.10164