Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

PARIS, France—26 August 2026— OPCW Director-General Sabrina Dallafior paid an official visit to Paris, France on 26 August 2026, where she met with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Noël Barrot, and other high-level officials. Discussions centred on various aspects of the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), including in Syria and in the context of Ukraine.

Today marks the 13th anniversary of a devastating chemical weapons attack in the Ghouta area of Damascus in Syria. On 21 August 2013, the nerve agent sarin was used in Ghouta, resulting in extensive civilian casualties, including many children. This appalling incident stands as a stark reminder of the horrendous human impact of chemical weapons. Today we remember and honour the victims and survivors of all chemical weapons use, in Syria and beyond.

The Government of France has contributed EUR 1 million to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions and EUR 30,000 to the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article VII. The contribution for the Trust Fund for Syria Missions will enable the OPCW to continue its independent technical work in Syria, including verification activities, deployment of expert missions, and efforts to clarify outstanding issues related to the chemical weapons programme inherited from the Assad’s government.

Behind every deployment is the OPCW Situation Centre (SitCen), a 24/7 operational hub that helps inspectors stay informed, connected and prepared wherever their work takes them. (Photo: OPCW) THE HAGUE, Netherlands—20 August 2026 — OPCW inspectors may be thousands of kilometres from Headquarters, conducting work that supports the global ban on chemical weapons. Yet no mission is ever carried out alone.

Distinguished participants, Dear colleagues, It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the 27th edition of the OPCW Associate Programme. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me, as it is my first official engagement as Deputy Director-General of the OPCW. I can think of no better way to begin my tenure than by joining you here at the opening of one of the organisation’s most impactful programmes.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—27 July 2026— Sabrina Dallafior today assumed office as Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), becoming the Organisation’s fifth Director-General and the first woman to lead the OPCW since its establishment. Director-General Dallafior begins her four-year term at a time when the international community continues to face evolving chemical security challenges.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—22 July 2026—The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has trained 26 Syrian officials as part of its growing support to help Syria build the institutional capacity needed to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and fulfil its obligations as a State Party.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—13 July 2026—The Government of the Slovak Republic has provided a financial contribution of EUR 20,000 to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions and the Trust Fund for the Implementation of Article X. Slovakia’s voluntary contribution of EUR 10,000 will support OPCW Technical Secretariat activities related to Syria.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands—09 July 2026—Acting under the authority delegated by the Conference of the States Parties (CSP), the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today, at its 112th session, adopted a draft decision to reinstate the rights and privileges of the Syrian Arab Republic at the OPCW that were suspended since 2021. The decision was co-sponsored by 67 States Parties from different regional groups and adopted by consensus.

The OPCW hosts an event on chemical forensics and the Chemical Weapons Convention on the sidelines of the 112th Session of the Executive Council. THE HAGUE, Netherlands—8 July 2026—When an alleged chemical weapons incident is investigated, scientific evidence plays a critical role in helping establish what happened. Identifying the chemical involved is only one part of the picture.