Statement by H.E. Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council Briefing, Agenda item “The situation in the Middle East (Syria)”
2023/2/28
(As delivered)
I thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, Under Secretary-General Griffiths and Ms. Rasha Muhrez for their briefings.
We are saddened to hear that Türkiye and northern Syria were hit by additional earthquakes on February 20th and we extend our deepest condolences to those affected by these series of tragic events.
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains extremely dire, with the earthquakes exacerbating the already existing crises in the country. The scale of needs in Syria is immeasurable, with record levels of poverty and food insecurity, a cholera outbreak, and harsh winter conditions.
Japan welcomes the agreement between President Assad and the UN to open two additional border crossings to northwest Syria for an initial period of three months. This allowed the UN to scale up its cross-border aid operation, where it has already sent more than 400 trucks loaded with vital assistance. All modalities, including cross-border and crossline operations, must be utilized to sufficiently respond to the vast humanitarian needs in Syria. In this regard, all hostilities have to stop, especially in the disaster affected areas. I would like to share with you that on the 24th, Japan announced its decision to provide $27 million in emergency grant aid for earthquake damage in Syria and Türkiye, in addition to the provision of the emergency relief goods, which have been already delivered.
We are grateful to those working on the ground in Syria to facilitate the smooth and timely delivery of vital aid. We call on all parties, including the Syrian government, to continue taking steps to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
Madam President,
While the imminent humanitarian crisis has rightly been at the forefront of our attention, we must not forget that a political solution remains crucial to ending the conflict in Syria. The humanitarian crisis cannot be fundamentally resolved without conflict settlement.
It is encouraging to hear that Special Envoy Pedersen and Deputy Special Envoy Rochdi continue their tireless efforts, including through engaging with Syrian parties and international stakeholders and working to resume meetings of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva. Progress in all these areas, including on the file of detained and missing persons, is imperative to achieve an end to the conflict by peaceful and diplomatic means.
Some briefers referred to Syrians, women and men on the ground come together and work together for their survival. Japan urges all parties, especially the Syrian authorities, but not limited to, to fully engage and cooperate with the spirit of solidarity as demonstrated by ordinary Syrians on the ground with the good offices of the Special Envoy to advance a comprehensive and inclusive political process. This remains the only viable path towards peace and stability for the Syrian people.
Madam President,
The Syrian people must remain at the center of our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The Security Council must put the differences aside and work constructively towards improving the humanitarian situation and implementing a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned UN-facilitated political process in line with resolution 2254. After enduring 12 years of conflict, the Syrian people, especially women and children, deserve to see a peaceful and prosperous future on the horizon. Let’s make that a reality.
We are saddened to hear that Türkiye and northern Syria were hit by additional earthquakes on February 20th and we extend our deepest condolences to those affected by these series of tragic events.
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains extremely dire, with the earthquakes exacerbating the already existing crises in the country. The scale of needs in Syria is immeasurable, with record levels of poverty and food insecurity, a cholera outbreak, and harsh winter conditions.
Japan welcomes the agreement between President Assad and the UN to open two additional border crossings to northwest Syria for an initial period of three months. This allowed the UN to scale up its cross-border aid operation, where it has already sent more than 400 trucks loaded with vital assistance. All modalities, including cross-border and crossline operations, must be utilized to sufficiently respond to the vast humanitarian needs in Syria. In this regard, all hostilities have to stop, especially in the disaster affected areas. I would like to share with you that on the 24th, Japan announced its decision to provide $27 million in emergency grant aid for earthquake damage in Syria and Türkiye, in addition to the provision of the emergency relief goods, which have been already delivered.
We are grateful to those working on the ground in Syria to facilitate the smooth and timely delivery of vital aid. We call on all parties, including the Syrian government, to continue taking steps to help alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.
Madam President,
While the imminent humanitarian crisis has rightly been at the forefront of our attention, we must not forget that a political solution remains crucial to ending the conflict in Syria. The humanitarian crisis cannot be fundamentally resolved without conflict settlement.
It is encouraging to hear that Special Envoy Pedersen and Deputy Special Envoy Rochdi continue their tireless efforts, including through engaging with Syrian parties and international stakeholders and working to resume meetings of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva. Progress in all these areas, including on the file of detained and missing persons, is imperative to achieve an end to the conflict by peaceful and diplomatic means.
Some briefers referred to Syrians, women and men on the ground come together and work together for their survival. Japan urges all parties, especially the Syrian authorities, but not limited to, to fully engage and cooperate with the spirit of solidarity as demonstrated by ordinary Syrians on the ground with the good offices of the Special Envoy to advance a comprehensive and inclusive political process. This remains the only viable path towards peace and stability for the Syrian people.
Madam President,
The Syrian people must remain at the center of our diplomatic and humanitarian efforts. The Security Council must put the differences aside and work constructively towards improving the humanitarian situation and implementing a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned UN-facilitated political process in line with resolution 2254. After enduring 12 years of conflict, the Syrian people, especially women and children, deserve to see a peaceful and prosperous future on the horizon. Let’s make that a reality.