Greece Contributes €100,000 to OPCW Trust Fund for Syria Missions

Greece Bolsters OPCW Efforts in Syria with €100,000 Contribution

The Hellenic Republic has officially formalized a voluntary contribution of €100,000 to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Trust Fund for Syria Missions. The formalization took place on January 19, 2026, during a signing ceremony held at the OPCW Headquarters in The Hague.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Ms. Caterina Ghini, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Hellenic Republic to the OPCW, and Ambassador Fernando Arias, the OPCW Director-General.

Supporting Critical Investigations and Disarmament

This significant financial contribution is earmarked to support the OPCW's ongoing and vital missions in the Syrian Arab Republic. The Trust Fund for Syria Missions facilitates a range of activities, including efforts to determine the full scope of Syria's chemical weapons program, investigations into alleged chemical weapons use, and the identification of perpetrators. It also aids in clarifying outstanding issues related to Syria's chemical weapons declarations.

Ambassador Ghini emphasized Greece's unwavering commitment to global chemical disarmament, stating, 'Greece has decided to contribute 100,000 Euros to the Trust Fund for Syria Missions of OPCW and stands ready to provide further assistance, in particular training, for the enhancement of the means and resources of Syria. This contribution reflects our firm commitment to multilateralism, to the complete elimination of chemical weapons, and to supporting the vital work of the OPCW under challenging circumstances.' She further added that the contribution is 'an expression of solidarity with the Syrian people and of our conviction that international cooperation remains essential to addressing complex security and humanitarian challenges.'

OPCW Director-General Commends Greek Support

OPCW Director-General Ambassador Fernando Arias expressed his gratitude for Greece's support. 'I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Hellenic Republic for its strong commitment to upholding the norms and principles of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC),' Arias stated. He highlighted the critical need for such international financial contributions, especially 'in light of the current economic, humanitarian, and security situation in the Syrian Arab Republic,' to help 'bring an early end to the Syrian chemical weapons dossier.'

Arias reiterated the core mission in Syria: 'Our task in Syria is at the core of the Convention—namely, the verifiable declaration and irreversible destruction of chemical weapons possessed by a State Party. The outcome of these efforts will participate in reducing the risk of proliferation and contribute to international peace and security.'

Greece's Enduring Commitment to Chemical Disarmament

Greece has been an active Member State of the OPCW since 1997 and currently holds a position on its Executive Council. This latest contribution underscores Greece's consistent support for the organization's mandate. The country has previously provided over €489,000 in voluntary contributions to various OPCW trust funds, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to the global effort against chemical weapons.

The OPCW's work in Syria involves several specialized teams, including the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM), which investigates whether toxic chemicals have been used as weapons, and the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), responsible for identifying perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks. Since November 2025, the OPCW has re-established a continuous presence in Syria to facilitate inventory, destruction, and verification activities, with efforts coordinated by the OPCW Office of Special Missions.