Thank you, Mr. President.
Switzerland is honored to introduce today, in partnership with the United States, this draft resolution aimed at facilitating humanitarian assistance and save lives. We thank the United States for its valuable collaboration and all members of the Council for their constructive engagement.
And our special thanks go to the humanitarian partners who work every day in difficult conditions, sometimes risking their own lives, and I would like to address them directly: this resolution is meant to help and support you, because your exemplary commitment deserves our full attention!
Mr. President,
This year we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the protection of civilians on the agenda of this Council, and the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, universally ratified cornerstones of international humanitarian law and a reflection of our common humanity. Together, we must therefore do everything in our power to ensure that aid reaches populations in need, regardless of the context or the authorities controlling their territory. Voting in favor of the resolution we are proposing is an important sign for humanitarian action and international humanitarian law. In this way, we continue to assume our collective responsibility for humanity.
Resolution 2664, adopted two years ago, was a historic step forward in protecting humanitarian operations while mitigating the unintended consequences of UN sanctions. It has had a significant impact:
It facilitates access to assistance for populations in need.
It provides legal clarity for the private sector and humanitarian actors, facilitating the transfer of funds, the delivery of essential supplies and the financing of humanitarian operations.
And the humanitarian community has made it clear: Resolution 2664 has proven to be very useful, but there is still work to be done to promote it, to ensure its implementation by all States, and to realize its potential by ensuring the effective continuity of its application to all sanctions regimes.
The application of this exemption to sanctions under the 1267 regime against Daesh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates is particularly relevant, as more than 100 million people living in the affected contexts are in need of humanitarian assistance. Thanks to this measure, more aid has reached the populations in need.
Switzerland, with its long humanitarian tradition rooted in neutrality, is committed to protecting vulnerable populations and upholding the principles of impartiality and neutrality. We are committed to facilitating rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and to promoting dialogue in response to the most serious crises. Our engagement, including in this Council, reflects our determination to uphold human dignity and strengthen multilateral responses to global challenges.
The draft resolution before you today is as simple as it is essential: it extends the application of resolution 2664 to the regime established by resolution 1267, providing our humanitarian partners with the clarity and predictability they need to act coherently and in accordance with humanitarian principles in contexts affected by UN sanctions. In addition, the resolution maintains systematic and rigorous monitoring measures to prevent abuses.
We therefore urge the members of this Council to speak with one voice in support of this draft resolution.
Thank you.