Mr President,

I would like to thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and Mr Ramesh Rajasingham of OCHA for their presentations.

Switzerland welcomes the efforts undertaken by Mr Pedersen within the framework of his mandate under Resolution 2254. We call on the Syrian parties, the Arab Contact Group and the participants in the Astana process, as well as international partners, to resume their mutual dialogue and to cooperate with the Special Envoy within the overall framework offered by the said resolution, in order to find a lasting political solution in Syria. 

The resolution defines the main parameters of a political process led and implemented by Syrians. Renewed cooperation between all the Syrian and international parties and the UN should make it possible to identify the common denominators needed to break the deadlock in this process. In this respect, relaunching the work of the Constitutional Committee, for which meetings Geneva remains available to host, would give an important signal of support for the search for a concerted approach to peace. 

The participation of civil society, including women and displaced persons and refugees, in the search for a political solution is essential. In Geneva, the Civil Society Support Platform and the Advisory Council are essential relays for bringing the voice of Syrians to the peace efforts under the aegis of the UN.

Switzerland recalls that civilian populations and property are protected under international law, in particular international humanitarian law and human rights law. The establishment of a nationwide ceasefire, as advocated by Resolution 2254, is essential. A regionalization of the conflict in the Middle East must be avoided at all costs. 

Finally, the fight against impunity for the abuses committed in the country since 2011 is a sine qua non condition for achieving lasting peace. Conflict-related violence, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and the targeting of women human rights defenders, must stop. To this end, we support the work of the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM). There can be no lasting peace in Syria without justice. 

Mr President, 

The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. 

The combination of an ongoing conflict, destructive earthquakes, increasingly frequent droughts and a worsening economic situation is having a devastating impact on the Syrian population. Malnutrition is wreaking havoc, while access to basic services and resources as vital as drinking water is hampered for almost half the population. Almost 17 million people, many of them children, are dependent on humanitarian aid at a time when humanitarian actors are facing significant budget cuts. 

Humanitarian exemptions from sanctions are important to facilitate humanitarian activities, particularly in the areas of health, education and food security.   

Switzerland therefore welcomes favorably the renewal of the authorization for the delivery of humanitarian aid by the UN and its specialized agencies in the north-west through the Bab al-Hawa crossing for a further six months. Switzerland sees this authorisation as an encouraging signal for increased collaboration with the UN on all aspects of the conflict.   

All forms of access to beneficiaries - across the front lines, across the borders and within Syria - remain necessary to cover the immense needs of the population. In this respect, we recall that authorizing and facilitating the rapid, safe and unhindered passage of humanitarian aid is an obligation under international humanitarian law.

Open-ended authorizations - including for the other two crossing points of Bab al-Salam and Al-Ra'e next month - remain necessary for greater predictability, funding and effective planning of humanitarian operations and early recovery activities. 

The multidimensional crises facing Syria require an appropriate and united response from the international community. Switzerland will continue to work towards this goal. 

Thank you.

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