Mr. Chairperson,

Mr. Director General,

Distinguished Delegates,

At the outset, I would like to thank Chairperson, H.E. Lucian Fatu of Romania for his guidance of the Council. I would like to express my Delegation’s full support to him in steering the Executive Council.

I also would also like to commend the Director-General, H.E. Ambassador Fernando Arias for his leadership of the OPCW Secretariat in fulfilling the mandate of the Organization.

The OPCW and the Chemical Weapons Convention remain crucial pillars of the global disarmament and non-proliferation regime. This is exactly why the
Organization should be provided the necessary resources to continue its effective implementation of the tasks under the Convention. On the other hand,
the Organization should spare no effort to make savings wherever possible. We thank co-facilitators of biennium Programme & Budget as well as Technical Secretariat for their efforts on addressing issues raised by States Parties through a facilitation mechanism.

We welcome the continued dialogue on issues such as Geographical Representation, Tenure Policy and Engagement with Civil Society, building on the progress made at the 5^thReview Conference. We call on all States Parties to maintain the constructive approach that was reached at the RevCon.

In the way forward, we have to deal with issues of significance including the growing threat of chemical terrorism and universalization of the organization. In this respect, we attach high importance to the work of the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism chaired by Ambassador of South Africa H.E. Vusimuzi Philemon Madonsela. We will continue to actively and concretely support its activities including the Table-Top Exercise.

Completion of the destruction of the all declared chemical weapons was a significant achievement. However, the destruction mandate of the OPCW cannot be considered complete unless all chemical weapons stockpiles in the world are brought under the authority of the Convention. In this respect, ensuring the universality of the Convention is of key importance.

On many occasions, Türkiye has emphasized the importance of accountability and prevention of impunity of the perpetrators of chemical weapons use. On the 10^thyear we express our support for the work of the OPCW and its Syria missions in addressing the gaps and inconsistencies in its declarations of chemical weapons as well as establishing the facts on the allegations of chemical weapons use and the perpetrators.

We support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Since the outset of the war,we have been consistent in our view thata legitimate and just peace depends on diplomacy. In addition to our efforts for the Black Sea Grain Deal, Türkiye is supporting the current reconstruction efforts and leading the Food Security Working Group.

We reiterate that any use of chemical weapons anywhere, at any time, by anyone, under any circumstances is unacceptable.

Türkiye will continue to extend its full support and cooperation to the effective implementation of the Convention.

I kindly request that this statement be issued as an official document of this session and be placed on the public website. Thank you.