Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Madam President.
I also thank Deputy Special Envoy Cordone, ASG Yahya, mr. George Batah and Mr. Maalim for their briefings, and I welcome the representatives of Syria, Türkiye and Libya to council.
Madam President,
Nine months into 2026, the security situation within Syria remains fragile. As we were remindedon September 30, where 7 people were killed in an attack on a bus in Homs. Terrorist groups continue to pose a serious threat and inter-sectarian violence continue to take place. We commend Syria for its efforts to combat terrorism, including the Syrian authorities’ efforts to stop planned attacks by Daesh on places of worship just last week.
We are further encouraged by the integration of the former Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army. In this connection, we continue to call for an inclusive Security Sector Reform and look forward to hearing updates about how this reform process will proceed.
Madam President,
An inclusive political process encompassing all components of Syrian society is fundamental to achieving a lasting peace. Denmark supports Syria’s efforts towards a political transition and a comprehensive transitional justice process in line with international standards. This should be implemented with a clear and transparent roadmap, along with sound institutional checks and balances.
The full participation of women, minorities, young people and civil society remains essential.
In parallel with this political transition, there is an urgent need for recovery and reconstruction. After more than a decade of war, we recognise the immense scale of these needs, and we echo President Al Sharaa’s call in his address to the General Assembly for Syria’s partners to support the country in this endeavour.
We thank all of our briefers today for underscoring that education is central to Syria’s future, and Syria’s future stability and security. A generation of Syrian children has lost years of schooling, and recovery will not succeed unless that is reversed. We therefore urge that education be placed at the heart of Syria’s national recovery, with sustained protection for children, safe and equal access to schools across the whole country, and the funding and support needed to rebuild the education system at all levels.
Denmark, and the European Union, for our part, are already stepping up.
Just two weeks ago, the EUs High Representative visited Syria and voiced Europe’s support for recovery efforts as a foundation for voluntary and dignified returns. She also stressed that successful transition depends on national reconciliation and accountability.
In addition to the European Union’s comprehensive assistance, Denmark also supports Syria’s recovery bilaterally. In 2026 alone, Denmark expects to commit approximately USD 76 million through a combination of early recovery, stabilisation, humanitarian and migration activities.
Madam President,
the continued presence of mines and unexploded remnants of war remain a major obstacle to recovery, as we just heard from ASG Yahya. Denmark is proud to support various initiatives, both through the UN and Danish NGOs, undertaking humanitarian mine clearing and assisting the Syrian authorities with mine clearing-capabilities and training.
We also support the Syrian authorities’ “No Camps, No Tents” initiative through our humanitarian efforts and recovery-support.
Madam President, in closing,
Syria remains on an encouraging trajectory in spite of the many internal challenges. The international community should do whatever possible to make this transition succeed. However, major external challenges remain and continues to threaten the country’s fragile transitional process. The continued Israeli presence in southern Syria poses an imminent risk to the stability of Syria as well as to the region. We call on Israel to withdraw from Syrian territory and to comply fully with its obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. Denmark once again reiterates its full support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
We reaffirm our support for a diplomatic solution to address the security of southern Syria and hope for the swift resumption of the Syria-Israel talks to this end.
Thank you.
