シリア人道決議案（クロスボーダー支援延長決議案）への露拒否権行使を受けての国連総会における石兼公博大使ステートメント
令和4年7月21日
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Mr. President,
I wish to start by thanking you for convening today’s important debate in the General Assembly.
The Syrian crisis has entered its twelfth year, and humanitarian needs in Syria are greater than ever. More than 14.6 million Syrians desperately depend on humanitarian aid to survive. This includes over 4 million people in northwest Syria alone, where more than 90% of the population live below the poverty line and are largely reliant on cross-border humanitarian assistance.
We had hoped that the Security Council would be able to maintain consensus on continuing cross-border operations by renewing resolution 2585 for an additional 12 months. Stable humanitarian access is essential at least for the time being, and extension of the cross-border mandate must be guided by humanitarian considerations without preconditions or politicization.
Japan recalls that the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2585 last July, which have brought life-saving assistance to millions of Syrians. At this moment, cross-line operations cannot replace the scale and scope of the cross-border aid modality.
We must therefore express our deep regret that Russia chose to cast a veto on 8 July, blocking a straightforward 12-month mandate renewal of the critical cross-border aid delivery mechanism and ignoring the appeals of the UN Secretary-General, humanitarian aid agencies, NGOs, and the Syrian people who are most in need.
Nonetheless, Japan welcomes that a compromise was reached on 12 July to allow for the continuation of the mechanism for six months, and praises the co-penholders Ireland and Norway for their constructive engagement with other Council members. Japan strongly urges all Council members to make decisions based on humanitarian needs to achieve a subsequent renewal of mandate next January.
Until a comprehensive and inclusive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned UN-facilitated political process is fully implemented in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, cross-border operations will remain crucial in meeting the dire humanitarian needs of the Syrian people.
Japan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to provide both humanitarian and early recovery assistance to all Syrians who are facing difficulties. Since 2012, Japan has provided more than $3.2 billion in assistance to Syria and neighboring countries.
As an incoming member of the Security Council, Japan is committed to continuing to play a constructive role in bridging gaps among relevant stakeholders and improving the humanitarian situation in Syria.
Thank you.