シリア政治・人道情勢に関する安保理会合における志野大使ステートメント

Thank you, Madam President.
 
I thank Special Envoy Pedersen, OCHA Director Rajasinghamand and Ms. Hayford for their valuable briefings.
 
The 13-year conflict in Syria, already one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, has recently seen a significant increase in violence and hostilities. More than 16 million people depend on humanitarian aid as their lifeline. Millions of children are in dire situations, unable to go to school.
 
Not only with continued humanitarian nightmare, corruption and mismanagement are also rampant, hundreds of thousands of people have gone missing, and many people have now tragically become involved in terrorism and criminal activities, including illicit drug trafficking, for the sake of their survival.

The level of funding to the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) in Syria is at its lowest despite the massive need of 4 billion USD throughout 2024. Frankly speaking, the international community is beginning to feel "aid fatigue" in the face of a protracted Syrian crisis with no political solution in sight.
 
Madam President,
 
Those who wish for the "status quo" to continue should recognize that this is not in the interest of a peaceful and stable future in Syria.
 
Japan has sincerely called on the Syrian government to (1) advance the political process in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, (2) create an environment conducive to the return of refugees, and (3) cooperate fully with the international community.
 
On our part, Japan has provided various early recovery and resilience assistance with medium to long-term aspects, including our continued support for the rehabilitation of hospitals, schools, and basic infrastructure to help Syrians become more self-reliant.
 
We encourage all member states not only to speak of the critical need for aid in Syria, but also to commit themselves to actual pledges.

In this vein, a positive step by the Syrian government, including in the political process, is crucial for the international community to further strengthen its support to Syria. Advancing the work of the Constitutional Committee would be regarded as an important gesture, and the Committee must be reconvened without further delay.
 
Madam President,
 
We believe that the fundamental problem of this ongoing crisis is a lack of trust between the Syrian government and other major stakeholders. The Council must continue to support the Special Envoy’s step-by-step approach as a confidence-building measure. Direct engagement and dialogue among parties concerned are also essential. Results may not be achieved overnight, but we should act before the crisis leads to an irreversible outburst.
 
Finally, diplomatic efforts at the regional level, including through the Arab Contact Group, will also remain critical, and Japan continues to work closely with the UN and Arab countries. Advancing the political process based on Resolution 2254 is the only way to ensure a sustainable resolution to the Syrian crisis.
 
I thank you, Madam President.