シリア政治・人道情勢に関する安保理ブリーフィングにおける志野大使ステートメント
令和5年3月23日
I would like to thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Mr. Talahma, OCHA Acting Director, for their briefings.
Mr. President,
This month marks the 12th year since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. We should not forget the tragic stories of each and every victim: the murdered and imprisoned, the homeless and displaced, and the trauma of children who have known only conflict since birth.
The earthquake was a nightmare on top of a nightmare. An unprecedented approach is needed to deal with this unspeakable calamity.
We need a drastic expansion of humanitarian aid and long-lasting assistance toward the early recovery of the affected area. Japan has already provided emergency relief supplies and humanitarian assistance amounting to approximately US$18.5 million.
As a country with a history of major earthquakes, Japan can use its experience to identify what will be needed next. The priority should be to promptly address secondary disaster risks, including the further collapse of buildings and the spread of epidemics, and to make buildings and local communities earthquake-resilient, as highlighted by Foreign Minister HAYASHI in his statement at the Brussels Donors’ Conference earlier this week.
Donors should therefore continue to generously support the Syria Flash Appeal and Humanitarian Response Plan. We must fully utilize all aid modalities, and further strengthen coordination among all humanitarian stakeholders, including NGOs and civil society.
Japan again welcomes the agreement between the Syrian Government and the UN to establish two additional cross-border points to allow more assistance to reach the northwest. We also acknowledge the blanket approval by the Syrian Government of cross-line aid.
Already we have witnessed approximately 1,000 UN aid convoys carrying relief supplies that provide a glimmer of hope amidst the devastation. But further cooperation is needed.
Mr. President,
At the same time, we reject military actions that would exploit this emergency for selfish gain. The recent airstrikes on northwest Syria and the attack on the Aleppo International Airport are extremely disturbing, and have seriously hindered humanitarian assistance operations.
A holy month of Ramadan is a time of reflection and self-restraint. A cessation of hostilities and a country-wide ceasefire are necessary conditions both for delivering necessary aid and for promoting political dialogue among the parties concerned.
We are deeply worried by the lack of a timetable for convening the 9th meeting of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva, an essential piece for advancing the political process. The Constitutional Committee is the only format that can bring together all actors for dialogue, and it must NOT be obstructed by any Security Council member.
We recognize that regional diplomatic activities have intensified since the earthquake, and we hope that this will create a better environment for Special Envoy Pedersen’s step-for-step approach to lead to tangible outcomes.
Finally, it is the Syrian people who have risked their own lives to save those buried in the rubble. It is they who must lead the political process that is needed if the dignified and beautiful Syria that existed is to be restored. It is this Council’s responsibility to support that process.
I thank you.