Statement by Ambassador at the UN Security Council
meeting on Syria.
"Thank you, President, and I join others in thanking Special
Envoy Pedersen and Director Wosornu for their briefings.
As we have heard today, this remains a live conflict and an
entrenched humanitarian crisis. I want to set out three tangible
steps that would improve the situation for the people of Syria
and these overlap very closely with Special Envoy Pedersen’s four
priorities.
Firstly, we need to ensure sustainable, predictable and efficient
aid flows across the whole of Syria. There is no substitute for
cross-border access to deliver for people in the North West.
Short term, last minute agreements are inappropriate.
As Director Wosornu just said, we must insist that cross-border
access is granted for as long as humanitarian needs demand,
across all three crossing points.
We have also heard that humanitarian funding remains inadequate.
The UK continues to be a top donor for Syrians in humanitarian
need, pledging up to $180 million this year alone. But as a
donor, we are concerned that 17 cents of every dollar in aid
being sent to UN agencies based in Damascus is being lost to the
regime who manipulate exchange rates for their benefit.
Secondly, at a fragile moment for the region all parties should
be focused on avoiding further escalation of conflict elsewhere
in the Middle East. We are concerned at reports of increased
Iranian-affiliated militia activity, and increasing hostilities
between Israel and militia groups in southern Syria. We call on
the regime to prioritise de-escalation and to focus on fostering
stability and prosperity.
Thirdly, this backdrop of violence in the region underscores even
more urgently the need for a viable political process in Syria.
We call on the regime to act in good faith and engage.
Thus far, attempts at normalisation have not borne fruit.
Insecurity persists, the captagon trade continues, and the safe,
dignified and voluntary return of refugees remains out of reach.
The UK’s position has not changed – we will not engage Damascus
without evidence of genuine, consistent behaviour change.
Resolution 2254 provides the framework to deliver an inclusive
and sustainable political process. The Constitutional Committee
has been deadlocked for too long. We strongly support efforts to
convene a meeting, with the Syrian parties alone if necessary, in
Geneva later this year.
Thank you, President."
