"Statement by Ambassador Usman Jadoon,Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN at the Security Council Briefing on Middle East (Syria/Chemical Weapons)(3 September 2026)*******Mr. President,Congratulations on assuming the Presidency of the Council. Please rest assured of our full support and cooperation. We also express our deep appreciation to Denmark on the remarkable conduct of the Presidency last month. I thank Under-Secretary-General Izumi Nakamitsu for her briefing. We welcome the participation of the representatives of Syria and Trkiye in todays meeting.2. We took careful note of the remarks by the distinguished PR of Syria, and welcome the continued positive momentum in addressing the Syrian chemical weapons file. The constructive approach demonstrated by the new Syrian government, and their sustained engagement with the OPCW Technical Secretariat, have created a genuine opportunity to make progress on issues that have remained unresolved for many years.3. Developments during the reporting period are encouraging. We take positive note of the two communications transmitted by the Syrian Arab Republic, including its review of locations that may have been associated with chemical weapons activities, as previously shared by the Technical Secretariat, and its initial assessment of the two newly declared storage facilities. These steps demonstrate the continued commitment of the Syrian authorities to engage substantively with the Secretariat.4. We also welcome the latest monthly report submitted by the Syrian National Authority concerning activities on its territory related to the destruction of chemical weapons and chemical weapons production facilities. This demonstrates the dedication of the Syrian government to address an issue which has haunted the conscience of the global community for years.Mr. President,5. As reported, nineteen of the twenty-six outstanding issues concerning Syrias initial declaration remain to be resolved. Many of these are complex and long-standing matters. We are encouraged that the present cooperation between the Syrian government and the Technical Secretariat offers a more conducive environment for addressing them. We are confident that this engagement will continue to yield concrete progress.6. As this work advances, adequate international support remains important. The Syrian authorities continue to face technical, institutional and capacity constraints in dealing with a highly complex legacy file. The international community should complement Syrias efforts and cooperation with the necessary technical assistance and capacity-building so that the process can move forward effectively.7. Equally important is an environment in which this technical work can proceed safely and without disruption. Continued instability, as well as the occupation of Syrian territory and military strikes against Syrian sites and facilities, complicate the work of both the Syrian government and the OPCW. Pakistan reiterates its firm support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria.Mr. President,8. Pakistan remains unequivocally opposed to the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere and under any circumstances. We attach great importance to the Chemical Weapons Convention as a cornerstone of the global disarmament architecture and support its full, effective and non-discriminatory implementation.The progress achieved under the new Syrian government deserves recognition and encouragement. The way forward lies in reinforcing the present atmosphere of cooperation and trust between Syria and the OPCW Technical Secretariat.9. We remain hopeful that sustained engagement, international support and independent technical verification will enable the remaining issues to be progressively resolved and bring us to the eventual closure of the Syrian chemical weapons file.I thank you.***"