OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria
Joint Mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations for the Elimination of the Chemical Weapons Programme of the Syrian Arab Republic

Closure of OPCW

The OPCW-UN Joint Mission in Syria, established on 16 October 2013, oversaw the timely elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons programme in the safest and most secure manner possible. Its mandate concluded on 30 September 2014, and the OPCW mission in Syria continues to deal with the destruction of chemical weapon production facilities.

OPCW-UN Joint Mission draws to a close

An advance team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations arrives in Damascus, Syria, four days after the OPCW Executive Council and the UN Security Council unanimously endorsed a plan to begin the process of overseeing the destruction of the country’s chemical weapons programme. The team, which includes 19 OPCW inspectors and 14 UN staff members, went into Syria over land from the Lebanese capital, Beirut.
An advance team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the United Nations arrives in Damascus, Syria. UN Photo/Hend Abdel Ghany

1 October 2014- The OPCW-UN Joint Mission on the elimination of Syrian chemical weapons has completed its mandate and its operations drew to a close on 30 September 2014. The Director-General praised the role played by the Joint Mission.

"The work of the Joint Mission has been vital to the success of international efforts to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons programme. It is an excellent example of how practical cooperation between international organisations can achieve tangible results in disarmament," said Ambassador Üzümcü.

"I wish to thank the Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag for her extraordinary efforts and leadership, as well as all OPCW and UN staff who have participated in this highly successful mission," he added.
The OPCW has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) on the provision of safety, security and logistical support for the OPCW's continuing operations in the Syrian Arab Republic. The OPCW mission in Syria will continue to deal with the destruction of chemical weapon production facilities and clarification of certain aspects of the Syrian initial declaration.
Source: OPCW