Syrian Arab Republic
Syria participated in the TPNW negotiations in 2017, but did not cast a vote on the adoption of the Treaty and has not adhered to it. The government has not cast a vote on any of the UN General Assembly resolutions on the TPNW in 2018, 2019, or 2020. Syria maintains policies and practices that are compliant with all of the prohibitions in Article 1 of the Treaty, and can therefore sign and ratify it without making changes to existing practices or policies.
| TPNW status |
|---|
| Not signed, not ratified, not acceded |
| Compatibility with prohibitions in TPNW Article 1(1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Art 1(1)(a) | Develop, produce, manufacture, acquire | Compatible |
| Test | Compatible | |
| Possess or stockpile | Compatible | |
| Art 1(1)(b) | Transfer | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(c) | Receive transfer or control | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(d) | Use | Compatible |
| Threaten to use | Compatible | |
| Art 1(1)(e) | Assist, encourage or induce | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(f) | Seek or receive assistance | Compatible |
| Art 1(1)(g) | Allow stationing, installation, deployment | Compatible |
| TPNW voting and participation | |
|---|---|
| Vote on negotiation mandate (A/RES/71/258) | Did not vote |
| Participated in treaty negotiations (% women) | Yes (11%) |
| Vote on adoption of treaty text | Did not vote |
| Last vote on UNGA resolution | Did not vote |
| Fissile material | |
|---|---|
| Fissile material production facilities | No |
| Highly enriched uranium stocks | 1 kg |
| Plutonium stocks (military/civilian) | No/No |
| Related treaties and regimes | |
|---|---|
| Party to the NPT | Yes |
| Party to a NWFZ | No |
| Ratified the CTBT | No |
| Party to the PTBT | Yes |
| Member of the CD | Yes |
| IAEA CSA in force | Yes |
| IAEA AP in force | No |
| Party to the CWC | Yes |
| Party to the BWC | No (Signatory) |
Latest developments
As a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Syria aligned itself with the group's statement in First Committee of the 2020 UN General Assembly, which said: 'NAM welcomes multilateral efforts towards nuclear disarmament and the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Moreover, NAM takes note of the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons on 7 July 2017. It is hoped that, when entered into force, the Treaty would contribute to furthering the agreed global objective of total elimination of nuclear weapons.' See: bit.ly/3kSkWGC.
Recommendations
- Syria should urgently sign and ratify the TPNW, and encourage other states to adhere to the Treaty.
- Syria should conclude and bring into force an Additional Protocol (AP) with the IAEA. Syria should also sign and ratify the CTBT and ratify the BWC.