Syria: Statement on the Political and Humanitarian Situation

Thank you, Mr. President,

I thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and USG Mark Lowcock for their briefings on the political and humanitarian situation in Syria.

Kenya welcomes combined consideration of the political and humanitarian situations in Syria and reiterates that the overriding interest for Kenya is in the safety, wellbeing, and peace of the people of Syria.

As today marks the presidential election in Syria, it is our hope that there will be a positive turning point towards a negotiated political solution based on the prioritisation of the needs of the people of Syria.

Kenya commends the convening of the Women's Advisory Board last month as a significant stride in the enhancement of the role of women and civil society in the political process and in shaping the social, economic and political future of the country.

We encourage the resumption of the Constitutional Committee sessions in an environment where all the parties engage constructively under a guided workplan and proposals, as a demonstration of commitment to the much-needed peace and political stability in Syria.

The negotiators should be aware that depending on their commitment or lack of it, they bear either hope or despair for the population in need.

Kenya is gravely concerned by the high levels of insecurity characterised by, among others sporadic crossline fire, mutual shelling and airstrikes in the Northwest, Northeast, Southwest as well as the central desert where ISIS cells operate. We denounce such violence which only exacerbates the worsening economic and humanitarian situation.

There is need for renewed efforts to combat Security Council listed terrorist groups including holding accountable those responsible for heinous crimes.

We must further prioritise the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.

We cannot overemphasise the need for all the parties to honour and adhere to the nationwide ceasefire as well as renew their commitments to the cessation of hostilities.

As reiterated by the Special Envoy, it is important to place conflict resolution at the core of the political process for confidence building among the parties. This is necessary for genuine dialogue to happen.

Turning to the humanitarian situation, it is a matter of concern that the economic situation in Syria remains dire. Food security is deteriorating rapidly with data showing a 72 percent year-on-year increase in rates of poor and borderline food consumption.

Further, the impact of climate change is now resulting in reduced water levels in the Euphrates River with serious implications on access to water.

It is also clear that unilateral coercive measures are undermining any efforts for the stabilisation of the economy and building the resilience of the people in the face the many challenges and threats. We call for the lifting of such measures in the interest of the vulnerable members of the society including women, children and the youth.

Mr. President, Kenya has previously called on the Security Council to remain seized on the spread of radicalisation, particularly in camps. We reiterate the need to support terrorist disengagement and reintegration programmes at sufficient scale especially within the camps.

My last point is on the important question of humanitarian access.

With more than 3.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid in Northwest Syria alone, the cross-border aid mechanism remains a critical avenue for humanitarian assistance including the COVID-19 vaccines, to reach the millions of people in need.

It is important that this life-saving operation is not disrupted. But it must continue to be complemented by crossline deliveries.

In this regard, we encourage the Government of Syria to continue working closely with the UN to ensure scaled-up crossline deliveries of aid, especially in Northwest Syria.

In closing, Kenya commends the tireless efforts of Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and USG Mark Lowcock in support of the peace process and alleviating the suffering of the Syrian people. It is only by working together that we can facilitate the long-desired consensus towards a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political solution to the conflict and restore the hopes of the people of Syria.

I thank you.