Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security
Council meeting on Syria.
We are in the 14th year of this conflict. So let me make three
broad points about the changes we need to see.
First, one year on from Syria's readmission to the League of Arab
States, we have seen no real change in the regime's behaviour.
Not on human right violations. Not on the safety of civilians.
And not on creating the conditions for the safe, dignified, and
voluntary return of refugees. What's more, Captagon flows have
continued to increase, threatening the stability of the region.
And Daesh attacks are increasing. We call on the Syrian regime to
respond to the positive overtures of our Arab partners by
changing its behaviour.
Second, we continue to respond to the devastating humanitarian
crisis. This week, the UK and other donors met in Brussels to
pledge our support to the Syrian people. The UK is proud to have
committed up to $264 million in humanitarian assistance this
year, bringing our total funding to over $5 billion since the
crisis began. This aid will be delivered to communities across
Syria, and includes $43.7 million for early recovery. We are
stepping up our humanitarian funding and we call on others to do
the same.
We also call on the regime to grant cross-border access for as
long as is required, based on humanitarian needs. We note the
renewal of permissions earlier this month for aid to cross
through two border points. However, as others have said, these
short-term and last-minute extensions by the regime mean access
is still unpredictable. Since needs are higher than ever in
Syria, humanitarians need to be able to reach people in a
predictable, principled and cost-effective way. The three
remaining UN border crossing points are a critical lifeline, and
humanitarian agencies need safe access to reach populations in
need.
Finally, President, the only long-term solution to ending this
conflict is through the UN-led political process based on
resolution 2254. We reiterate our support to your efforts,
Special Envoy, and we call on the parties to cooperate fully
towards delivering a lasting political settlement in Syria.
