Delivered by: Ms. Reem Al Ameri, Attaché

UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

Check against delivery

Mr. President,

I thank Mr. Adedeji Ebo for his briefing today. 

I would like to reiterate the UAE’s explicit rejection and condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances. Their use constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention and international law.

In the context of today’s discussion, I will focus my statement on the following points:

First, the UAE welcomes the convening of the twenty-fifth round of consultations in Damascus, along with the ongoing discussions between the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Syria on all outstanding matters. Maintaining dialogue between the two sides remains crucial to make progress on this file.

Second, it is critical to uphold the technical nature and the consensus principle of the Organization for the Prohibition of Weapons to ensure that files are not politicized. We underscore that the recent decision adopted during the twenty-eighth session of the Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention is unprecedented. This decision will not contribute to the resolution of the outstanding issues in this file. Additionally, it will have consequences on the already deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria, especially in terms of the prohibition of dual-use chemicals and equipment essential for medical, pharmaceutical, and other peaceful purposes. This approach will also hinder progress made by the Organization and Syria in restoring confidence-building and finding a common practical formula.

Third, as we mentioned previously, the threats of chemical terrorism cannot be overlooked, especially as Da’esh continues to launch its attacks in Syria. The threat of chemical terrorism by Da’esh pose a serious risk to the security and stability of the region, a concern supported by the recent report of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh (UNITAD).

Finally, Mr. President, we express our deep concern over reports of Israel’s use of white phosphorus as an incendiary weapon in Gaza and Lebanon. This is internationally prohibited by the “Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons”, adopted in 1980 in Geneva. White phosphorus exposes civilians to the risk of critical and long-term injuries. The use of white phosphorus on civilians raises serious questions about compliance with international humanitarian law and should be investigated.

In conclusion, as this marks the last meeting in which the UAE participates on this subject during its membership, I would like to reiterate the importance of realizing progress on the chemical weapons file in Syria and on all files related to resolving the Syrian crisis.

Thank you, Mr. President.