Statement delivered by Ambassador Toufik Koudri, Deputy Permanent Representative of Algeria to the United Nations, on behalf of the A3+, at the UNSC briefing on the situation in the Middle East: The political and humanitarian situation in Syria

Mr. President,

I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the A3+, namely Guyana, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and my own country Algeria.

At the outset, the A3+ would like to thank Special Envoy Geir Mr. Pedersen and ASG Joyce Msuya for their valuable briefings.

Mr. President,

Now more than ever, the Syrian people are seeking meaningful change in their country—a change that will enable them to realize their legitimate aspirations for peace, stability, prosperity and well-being.

The A3+ calls upon the international community to support Syria's transition and assist the Syrian people in achieving a smooth, peaceful, sustainable, lasting, and inclusive, Syrian-led, and Syrian-owned political process, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.

In this regard, the A3+ emphasizes the pivotal role the United Nations can play in facilitating a process that is inclusive and reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people and urges all parties to engage constructively in good faith.

We welcome the recent engagements between the caretaker authorities and Special Envoy Pedersen and reiterate our unwavering support for the efforts of the Special Envoy.

The A3+ takes notes of the announcements made by the caretaker authorities on January 30 and looks forward to the next steps in the transition period, including the development of a new Constitution and a Government that acts on behalf of all Syrian people.

We emphasize that rebuilding Syria must be a collective effort of all its people, irrespective of their backgrounds.

Mr. President,

The Syrian people have suffered immensely for over 13 years and deserve peace, stability, and prosperity.

We are deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Syria and urgently call for a nationwide ceasefire.

The A3+ strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violence that continue to claim the lives of Syrian citizens and urges all actors to refrain from actions that fuel further instability.

This is a time for dialogue, not revenge.

Syria cannot, and must not, descend back into violence.

Further instability will only breed terrorism and extend years of suffering for the Syrian people.

The A3+ calls upon all actors to respect and uphold Syria’s unity, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Syria cannot be divided, nor should it be used as a battleground for geopolitical rivalries.

The A3+ strongly condemns the Israeli incursions into Syrian territory and its presence in the demilitarized buffer zone, in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

We reiterate our call for full adherence to and respect for the provisions of this agreement and underscore the need to prevent further escalation in the region.

Mr. President,

Alongside the political instability in Syria, there is a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The scale of needs in the country is staggering, and the mobilization of resources remains insufficient to meet the required level of support.

This crisis has been further compounded by the return of over 635,000 people since last September, many of whom are struggling to re-establish lives and livelihoods in communities that are uninhabitable from extensive infrastructural damage.

The A3+ expresses grave concern about the critical funding gap for the Humanitarian Response Plan in Syria and urges donors to fulfill their commitments, ensuring adequate funding for humanitarian assistance, including for the displaced population, 80 percent of whom are women and children.

We welcome the decision to renew the authorization for the Bab Al-Hawa crossing for an additional six months, until August 7, 2025.

The A3+ urges all relevant actors to work together to expand and sustain humanitarian access across Syria, including through crossline and cross-border mechanisms.

Furthermore, displaced Syrians continue to face immense hardships far from home, and their return is hindered by significant challenges related to protection, security, and economic conditions.

The A3+ underscores the importance of creating an environment that enables the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of displaced Syrians to their homes, in line with international law and in coordination with UN agencies.

Such an environment cannot be established without an effective Early Recovery Strategy for a prosperous economy, supported by regional and international partners. Reconstruction efforts are critical to sustainable economic recovery in Syria.

The A3+ takes note of the decisions by some actors to suspend or lift certain sanctions and calls for their full removal.

Unilateral sanctions are hindering recovery efforts and impeding the safe return of Syrians to their homes.

The A3+ stresses the need for a balanced approach that addresses humanitarian relief and long-term economic recovery, ensuring that no measures exacerbate the suffering of the Syrian people.

The A3+ believes that a coordinated strategy, spanning from humanitarian assistance to development, is critical for Syria to overcome its current challenges.

Without economic prosperity, Syria risks relapsing into violence, with millions of weapons beyond the control of the state.

Mr. President,

Our responsibility toward the Syrian people is immense.

We must rise to the moment and join forces to ensure that Syria’s transition is successful.

The success of Syria’s transition will not only benefit its people but also contribute to regional and international peace and security.

We cannot fail in this endeavor.

Thank you.