A3+ Statement delivered by H.E. Amar Bendjama, Permanent Representative of Algeria to the UN, at Security Council Briefing on the Situation in Syria

Madam President,

It is my honor that I deliver this statement today on behalf of the A3+, namely Guyana, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and my own country Algeria.

We extend our gratitude to Mr. Geir Pederson, United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Mr Ramesh Rajasingham, Director of Coordination, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,  and Ms. Helen Hayford, Global Protection Manager at Malteser International, for their briefings.

The situation in Syria remains of grave concern to the A3+. We deeply regret that the situation continues to escalate with several incidents reported during the last few weeks, particularly in the north. We believe that the situation could deteriorate further without the concerted effort of the relevant parties and the international community.

A resumption of hostilities will only perpetuate insecurity and plunge Syria into violence again. This must be avoided at all cost as it will severely undermine the gains already made.

The A3+ are also concerned about violations of Syria's sovereignty and condemns such violations which also undermine regional peace and security. We call for full respect of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The A3+ further call on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid a regional conflagration.

We express our firm belief that the solution to the Syrian crisis is political.

It must also be a solution that ensures Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2254 (2015) and must be  based on an inclusive and Syrian-led political process. We, therefore, call for the early resumption of the Constitutional Committee and appeal to the parties to support the Special Envoy’s efforts to implement confidence-building measures.

The A3+ call upon the international community and key stakeholders to play a constructive role in Syria and to help its people with renewed vigor toward achieving sustainable peace and prosperity.

Madam President,

As we engage in negotiations on the Declaration on Future Generations, it is important to bear in mind that the decisions we take today will shape future generations of Syria.

According to OCHA:

Children in Syria are experiencing the worst effects of an unparalleled and complex emergency with 6.3 million of them needing protection services.

1 million additional Syrian children are now at risk of dropping out of school;

More than half a million are also likely to go unvaccinated; and

Over half a million more urgently require life-saving treatment for Acute Malnutrition.

Are we going to leave them behind?

The current situation is likely to further worsen with hundreds of facilities and mobile medical teams currently under threat of immediate closure due to funding shortages, thereby placing 14.9 million people at risk of interrupted access to health and nutrition services. Such a catastrophic situation will have intergenerational repercussions. We must act swiftly and urgently to avoid a greater humanitarian catastrophe.

In this regard, the A3+ emphasize the importance of the Cross-Border Mechanism to deliver humanitarian assistance to Syrians.

We look forward to the Government’s early renewal of the Bab Al-Salam and Al-Ra'ee cross-border points. We also stress the need to make full use of all existing mechanisms, including the cross-line mechanism, in reaching those in need in hard-to-reach areas.

While acknowledging the generous contributions of donors to the humanitarian response in Syria, the A3+ wishes to underscore that humanitarian activity alone will not be sufficient to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.

With almost 17 million people in need, over half of whom are women, Syria cannot rely solely on humanitarian assistance but must also benefit from the provision of other necessary services to promote economic recovery.

Syria's economy today, after 13 years of deep crisis and the impact of unilateral sanctions, is struggling to get back on track and to meet the needs of its population.

The A3+ believe that, in addition to the humanitarian support being extended to Syria, the international community should also engage with the UN and the Syrian Government to invest in the Early Recovery Projects and support the resumption of economic activity in the affected areas.  

Such an investment will create the conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of Syrian refugees and IDPs abroad, and reduce the dependence of the Syrian population on external support.

Madam President,

There is no robust peace without development, and there is no prospect for development without peace. 

The A3+ call for the Syrians to overcome their differences and to engage in a constructive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process with support from the international community that ensures Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

I Thank you.