The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced on July 9, 2026, that it has reinstated Syria's voting rights, citing "concrete steps" taken by the new government to address issues from the previous regime. This decision marks a significant shift since Syria was suspended in 2021 due to its failure to fully disclose its chemical weapons program.
Syria's Suspension and Recent Developments
In 2021, Syria was suspended from the OPCW after the Bashar al-Assad regime repeatedly used chemical weapons during the civil war and failed to declare the full extent of its arsenal. The OPCW's recent statement highlighted a "significant change" in circumstances following the ousting of al-Assad in 2024.
Under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new Syrian authorities have committed to fulfilling their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The OPCW noted that the government has taken actions to facilitate verification activities and has begun to destroy identified remnants of its chemical weapons.
Actions Taken by the New Syrian Government
Since the regime change, the Syrian government has engaged in constructive dialogue with the OPCW. Fernando Arias, the OPCW Director-General, stated that these decisions reflect the progress achieved through cooperation between the Technical Secretariat and Syria.
