UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION

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Madam President,

I would like to thank both Mr. Geir Pedersen and Ms. Joyce Msuya for their briefings today. I also thank Ms. Nirvana Shawky for her intervention.

Just as the Syrian people recently commemorated the 76th anniversary of the country’s evacuation day, we hope that one day they will also overcome the ongoing crisis in Syria in a way that preserves Syria’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

After more than a decade of war in Syria, it is now imperative for us to reconsider how the Security Council has handled this file. Over the past several years, polarization and existing divisions in the Council have caused paralysis. Additionally, the periodic meetings of the Council on Syria have been confined to a repetition of national positions, without a serious discussion on a peaceful solution that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.

Turning to the political situation, we emphasize the importance of engaging in negotiations and dialogue by all parties, especially through the work of the Constitutional Committee. It is important that the discussion focuses on common constitutional elements, and t for this to be through a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process. We also welcome the agreement to hold the eighth round of talks in May and urge the committee to continue its work periodically so that all parties can engage in substantive discussion.

Progress in the political process requires addressing security challenges, including through de-escalation and obtaining a ceasefire throughout Syria. This is particularly pertinent in light of the recent deterioration in the security situation, as seen in Al-Hol camp and through the recent increase in murders and violence against women. In this regard, it is important to preserve the humanitarian foundations and purpose of the camp, while also addressing the root causes of extremism and terrorism that threaten the security and stability of Syria and the region, particularly in light of the terrorist group Da’esh’s attacks against civilians in Deir ez-Zor, al-Hasakah, and eastern Homs.

Regarding the humanitarian situation, we underscore the importance of focusing on providing basic needs and essential services to the Syrian people, including electricity, water, and food. We also note that the living conditions in Syria remain difficult, particularly in light of the unprecedented rise in the prices of basic commodities due to the economic crisis in Syria, which coincides with the increasing international prices of food and energy, in addition to the significant damage to the electricity sector as a result of terrorism and war. In this regard, the UAE supports the efforts aimed to increase early recovery projects in Syria.

We would also like to specifically draw attention to the difficult conditions of women and girls in Syria, which is manifested in the alarming increase in suicide among women and the continued crimes of sexual violence. We underscore the importance of providing these women with the necessary support to alleviate their suffering.

As the July renewal of the cross-border aid mechanism to Syria approaches, we hope that the Council will consider this matter in an objective and logical manner. We need to cooperate on this file regardless of any differences on other files to ensure aid reaches those in need, both through cross-border and crossline operations. In this context, the UAE welcomes the crossing of the third humanitarian aid convoy from Aleppo to Northwest Syria based on resolution 2585.

To conclude, the positions of all members of the Security Council on this file are clear, and it is important to focus in the coming months on how to revive meaningful discussions in order to resolve the Syrian crisis rather than merely managing it.

Thank you, Madam President.