We must do all we can to maintain momentum towards a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people: UK statement at the UN Security Council
UK Ambassador James Kariuki told the UN Security Council that momentum must be maintained toward a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people, noting the region-wide impact of the conflict, Iran’s reckless attacks, and the Israel-Hezbollah fighting that drive humanitarian vulnerability and displacement into Syria; the UK has pledged $20 million in emergency humanitarian support across the region, with half allocated to Lebanon, and an additional $650,000 released for those affected in Syria, including vulnerable women and girls. The UK welcomes continued progress in implementing the agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces, paying tribute to the US for brokering it; ongoing security cooperation, initial SDF appointments to government posts, and the return of Kurdish families to Afrin, together with Raqqa governorate elections, are positive steps toward a representative and inclusive Syrian political system, with calls to resolve outstanding issues such as prisoner exchanges and military integration. The UK also supports Deputy Special Envoy Cardone’s efforts to renew and strengthen the UN’s relationship with the Government of Syria, including relocating the Envoy’s Office to Damascus to better enable on-the-ground UN support, and urges constructive cooperation between the UN and the Syrian Government as, 15 years after the initial uprising and 15 months after Assad’s ouster, progress continues toward a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people.
Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
I will make three points.
First, the current conflict in the region is having a profound impact on neighbouring countries.
Iran’s reckless attacks threaten to escalate the conflict and further disrupt supply chains and economic security.
As we’ve heard, the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel is also exacerbating humanitarian vulnerability and displacing tens of thousands into Syria, many of them women and children.
This adds to an already difficult humanitarian situation and places further strain on fragile services.
My Foreign Secretary has underlined the UK’s grave concern at the developing conflict and called for de-escalation.
The UK has announced $20 million in emergency humanitarian support across the region, half of which will support organisations in Lebanon.
In Syria, we have released an additional $650,000 to support those impacted by the crisis, including vulnerable women and girls.
Second, Mr President, the UK welcomes continued progress on implementing the agreement between the Syrian Government and the Syrian Democratic Forces.
I want to pay tribute to the work of the US and you personally, Mr President, in brokering this agreement.
Ongoing security co-operation, initial appointments of SDF officials to Government posts, and the return of Kurdish families to areas of Afrin are vital steps that build confidence and pave the way towards a stable and unified Syria.
Elections in Raqqa Governorate are a further positive sign and an important step towards developing a representative and inclusive Syrian political system.
We hope to see further momentum maintained and resolution of outstanding issues, including prisoner exchanges and military integration.
And third, I welcome the efforts of Deputy Special Envoy Cardone to renew and strengthen the UN’s relationship with the Government of Syria.
The Envoy’s Office plays an important role in coordinating the UN’s support to Syria’s recovery.
We hope to see its relocation to Damascus in the near future to better enable UN support on the ground.
We encourage the UN and the Syrian Government to work constructively towards this goal.
Colleagues, 15 years since the initial uprising against Assad and 15 months since his ousting, we continue to see genuine and historic progress in Syria.
We must do all we can to maintain momentum towards a more stable and secure future for the Syrian people.
