Checked Against Delivery
Let me start by thanking Deputy Special Envoy Cordone and Acting Assistant Secretary-General Ratwatte for their briefings.
I also wish to thank Ms. Rukbi for her strong messages today, and for her incredible courage and impact throughout the Syrian uprising and beyond.
I also wish to welcome the Permanent Representatives of Syria, Qatar and Türkiye to our meeting.
Colleagues,
The Secretary-General’s visit to Syria in July was historic and represented a clear sign of the UN’s strong support for Syria. As we heard, he returned with a positive message about the hope and the opportunities he experienced during his visit – a far cry from the dark, sobering statements that for years characterized the Syria discussions in this Council.
The Government of Denmark is planning to soon re-open the Danish Embassy that was closed for security reasons during the height of the uprising in the summer of 2012. The decision to re-open the embassy shows Denmark’s willingness to engage with and support the new Syria.
Another important development since our last meeting is Syria’s renewed commitment to cooperation with the IAEA which we welcome. This marks the most significant advance to date in the cooperation between Syria and the Agency, and is a clear rupture with the previous regime’s dark past.
This constructive engagement with the international community could be further strengthened through the presence of a restructured Office of the Special Envoy in Damascus as soon as possible.
Colleagues,
In spite of many positive developments, some major challenges remain.
An inclusive political transition is on top of everyone’s mind, as is the on-going transitional justice process.
As Ms. Rukbi stated, women’s rights and women’s participation must be at the center of this Council’s engagement on Syria. The participation of women, minorities, youth, and civil society is integral to the success of the political transition.
We also acknowledge the important role women play in Syria’s transitional justice process. For years, women have searched for the missing, collected testimonies and gathered evidence. We were pleased to recently co-host an Arria-formula meeting on transitional justice, with constructive and active participation from authorities in Damascus.
It is important that all relevant actors, Syrian as well as international mechanisms, contribute to the process, and that we as international community continuously support the Syrian-owned transitional justice process while upholding international standards.
Beyond Syria’s long term political transition, the needs of its people remain immense and immediate, with 15.6 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.
As we heard from the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, the 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan is currently only one third funded. More needs to be done to meet these critical needs.
Next month, the school year will begin for many Syrian children. However, with almost 2.5 million children out of school and another 1.6 million at risk of losing their access, due to displacement and economic hardship, this merits our sustained attention.
Finally,
While Syria has many internal challenges, maybe the most serious stem from regional instability and foreign interference. We reiterate that Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.
The resolutions of this Council and the General-Assembly on the occupied Syrian Golan are clear. They must be upheld by all members.
We are deeply concerned about recent Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idleb Governorate. Such actions constitute a dangerous escalation that could further destabilize regional stability.
Statements from the Israeli government about remaining indefinitely in zones inside Syria are unacceptable and undermine efforts towards a durable peace. We commend Syria for pursuing a diplomatic solution to these tensions.
Colleagues,
Syria is moving towards a more stable and prosperous future.
For it to succeed, we must continue to support the inclusive political transition, sustain and strengthen international humanitarian support and work to ensure respect for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Those are all are important prerequisites for the continued success of the new Syria. Denmark will keep working with Syria and this Council to reach that future.
