Statement by H.E. Ambassador Koro Bessho
Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
At the Security Council Briefing
On the Humanitarian Situation in Syria
30 May 2017

 

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

 

I would like to thank Mr. O’Brien for his briefing. 

 

In the 30 days since the previous Council meeting on the humanitarian situation in Syria, we have heard some positive news, while the overall situation continues to be dire.  On the political process, Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura convened the Sixth Round of Geneva Talks. In the area of the cessation of hostilities, the three guarantors of the Astana Process agreed on the memorandum concerning the four de-escalation zones.  Regarding humanitarian access, the UN inter-agency convoy delivered food and medical items to Eastern Ghouta.

 

The various actors have all been playing an important role.  In addition to the positive developments which I just mentioned, the ISSG has been regularly exchanging information and seeking solutions that are possible in the short term. As a member of the ISSG and Humanitarian Co-Penholder, Japan has been making efforts to convince the Syrian Government to provide facilitation letters and allow access by UN inter-agency convoys. 

 

Unfortunately, these individual efforts cannot overcome the fact that humanitarian access is neither systematic nor consistent.  Mr. O’Brien noted two months ago that successful access has always been the result of humanitarian workers’ patient negotiation and use of one or two influential channels.  We are aware that the Syrian Arab Red Crescent has been such a channel and has pushed for expanded access.  However, it is essential that the Council and ISSG collectively undertake serious and coordinated efforts to expand discrete work into truly effective action, which includes full and good-faith implementation of the relevant resolutions.  Japan will continue to seek solutions to the pressing humanitarian situation, in cooperation with the other Humanitarian Co-Penholders.  We ask that all actors with political influence do the same.

 

Additionally, the Astana process guarantors are attempting to reduce the fighting in the four de-escalation zones, which include most of the people in the besieged and hard-to-reach areas.  Our expectations on this front are high because so much of the humanitarian crisis is concentrated in these areas.  Expanded information and coordination with UN humanitarian actors and the Security Council are needed in order to make these efforts as effective as possible. 

 

I thank you, Mr. President.