Skip to content

18.12.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC briefing on Syria

Who Permanent Representative, Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen
Who Permanent Representative, Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen
When 18.12.2025

Checked Against Delivery

 

Thank you, Mr. President,

 

And let me also thank USG DiCarlo and ASG Msuya for their briefings.

 

I particularly want to thank Ms. Mariam Jalabi for her statement and for being a strong and trusted voice of the Syrian opposition for the last 14 years here in New York.

 

Mr. President,

 

With its historic visit to Syria, a new chapter has started in the relationship between this Council, the United Nations and the Syrian people. A relationship we must continue to reinforce and rebuild.

 

During the Council’s visit, we recognized the many positive achievements realized by the transitional government in the past year, but also the need for further progress.

 

Our meeting with civil society representatives confirmed the need to continue to call for an inclusive and transparent political process. And meeting with relatives of victims from the violence on the coast and in Suwaida, the importance of accountability and progress on transitional justice, at a time when intercommunal tensions and sectarian violence remain high, was made abundantly clear. 

 

We urge the transitional government to make the best use of the UN’s expertise and capacities to this end. A natural next step would be the establishment of a permanent presence of the Office of the Special Envoy in Damascus.

 

Mr. President,

During the Council visit to Damascus, we were impressed by the level of security but also reminded of the many security challenges that continue to plague the country.

 

We were deeply appalled by the news of the attack on a joined US-Syrian patrol  in Palmyra last week, demonstrating the persistent threat posed by ISIL across Syria. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the victims, and we underline our unwavering commitment to ensuring that ISIL must not be allowed to recreate their terrorist regime.

 

We continue to reiterate our commitment to Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Denmark urges Israel to halt its air strikes and incursions inside Syria, and to respect the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. We hope that the ongoing negotiations between Israel and Syria translate into tangible peace and stability for the people of Syria and for the region.

 

With respect to the northeast, we encourage the transitional government and the SDF to stay at the negotiating table, also after the deadline set for implementation of the March 10 agreement by the end of this year.

 

Mr. President,

 

As highlighted by Ms. Jalabi, women should play a critical role in Syria’s transition.

 

Last week, Denmark, Finland, and Norway co-hosted an event in Damascus focusing on women, peace and security together with Minister of Social Affairs Hind Kabawat and UN Women. As was the case with the Council’s meeting with civil society, an event like this would have been unthinkable just one year ago.

 

Women’s full and meaningful participation in all aspects of governance and public life is required for a peaceful, inclusive and sustainable future for Syria. Importantly, women should be broadly represented in the People’s Assembly but also in the executive branch and in the private sector. With the number of challenges Syria faces in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the country, all smart minds are needed to succeed. 

 

Colleagues,

 

While long-term progress calls for patience, the humanitarian situation requires acute action, as we just heard from ASG Msuya.

 

With winter approaching, shelter, heating, housing and nutrition are crucial. Preparing local communities for returnees, including opening schools and building social cohesion, is also needed.

 

The humanitarian situation requires an urgent and comprehensive UN response, and Denmark remains deeply concerned about the severe underfunding of the 2025 humanitarian response plan.

 

Denmark has chosen to make an extraordinary year-end contribution to the humanitarian response to the Syrian crisis of 6 million USD – in addition to almost 50 million USD already allocated this year. We encourage other member states to join us in increasing their funding.

 

Mr. President, in closing,

 

The gunfire that lit up the Damascene sky, little over a year ago, has given way to fireworks celebrating the 1-year anniversary of the fall of the Assad-regime.

 

These celebrations are a sign that the resolve of the Syrian people endures. When visiting Damascus, we saw the joy and the pride on the faces of the people in the streets, but we also saw the shattered buildings in the outskirts of the city, reminding us of the brutality of what came before.

 

Looking back, the progress made by Syria over the past year has been nothing short of remarkable. At the same time, the challenges facing Syria are many, and the path forward will be tough.

 

We ask the Syrians to trust us when we say that we are here to support you, and that the UN can help accompany the new Syria, Sūriyā al-jadīda, on this path forward.

 

I thank you.