Joint Statement in the UNGA First Committee “Other Weapons of Mass Destruction”
Joint Statement in the UNGA First Committee “Other Weapons of Mass Destruction” delivered by Mr. Aleksas Dambrauskas, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Lithuania to the UN on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, the European Union, and my own country Lithuania.
Our delegations reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the absolute prohibition of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, anywhere, and under any circumstances.
The reappearance of toxic chemical agents in conflict zones poses a grave threat to international peace and security worldwide and undermines the credibility of the global disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.
In this regard, we note with utmost concern the growing body of reports on the Russian Federation’s use of riot control agents as a method of warfare and toxic chemicals on the frontlines in Ukraine, in violation of the CWC. Ukraine has documented over 14,000 cases of the use of munitions containing hazardous chemicals, including chloropicrin, by Russian forces since February 2023. In addition, Ukraine has reported that 6,021 of its service personnel required medical care for symptoms of chemical exposure, including acute poisoning by unidentified toxic substances.
Our concern is further reinforced by the findings of three consecutive OPCW Technical Assistance Visit (TAV) reports – dated 18 November 2024[1], 14 February 2025[2], and 20 June 2025[3] – conducted at the request of Ukraine. These reports confirm that environmental and munition samples collected from locations along the confrontation lines in the Dnipropetrovsk region contained 2-Chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile (CS), a riot control agent. OPCW-designated laboratories independently verified the presence of CS or its degradation products in grenade fragments, soil, vegetation, and even components of first-person-view drone frames.
These reports raise serious concerns about a clear and systematic pattern of use, going well beyond isolated incidents. They provide further evidence that CS gas has been used as a method of warfare, which would be in direct violation of Article I of the CWC.
These findings add to longstanding concerns regarding the Russian Federation's compliance with its obligations under the CWC. We also recall with profound concern the numerous additional reports on the Russian Federation‘s use of chemical weapons, including against its political opponents. These include the poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal, which also resulted in the death of Dawn Sturgess, as well as the poisoning of Alexey Navalny. Three TAV reports have confirmed the presence of Novichok nerve agents in samples from different incidents. We are also seriously concerned about the reported poisoning of Alexei Navalny with epibatidine while he was incarcerated in a Russian prison.
We commend the relevant Ukrainian authorities for undertaking their national investigations to identify the perpetrators under challenging circumstances, and we welcome the assistance provided by the OPCW Technical Secretariat. We also commend the impartial and rigorous work of the OPCW Technical Secretariat for its professionalism in carrying out its work and safeguarding the integrity of the Convention. We express our full support for the Director General and the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW, in fulfilling the mandate set by the Convention and decisions of the policy-making organs of the Organisation.
In this regard, we urge the Russian Federation to fully comply with its obligations under the CWC. Considering the seriousness of the situation and the evidence presented, and consistent with Ukraine’s request for assistance in carrying out its investigation, we stress the need for the OPCW to provide technical expertise to identify those who were perpetrators, organisers, sponsors or otherwise involved in the use of chemical weapons on its territory, in line with the OPCW’s existing mandate. Identification is necessary to ensure compliance and to redress and remedy any situation which contravenes the provisions of the CWC. We stand ready to support Ukraine and the OPCW Technical Secretariat, as we seek to implement our collective efforts in pursuit of effective attribution and full accountability.
Chair,
We wish to underscore our common belief that the development, production, acquisition, possession, stockpiling, retention, transfer, and use or threat of use of chemical weapons by any actor poses a threat to the object and purpose of the CWC and to the achievement of a world free of chemical weapons.
There is and there can be no justification for anyone to develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons.
Any use of chemical weapons – by State or non-State actors – is unacceptable. Such acts must be met with a unified, firm, and principled response. Upholding the CWC is not only vital for the credibility of the chemical weapons regime but also for the integrity of the broader disarmament and non-proliferation architecture.
