Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.
The Syrian government has made progress in seeking to foster genuine national reconciliation and in laying the foundations for state institutions that work for, and represent all of Syria.
This includes recent steps towards holding indirect elections for the People's Assembly and the efforts of the Supreme Electoral Committee to consult across Syria and guarantee at least 20% of electors are female.
We encourage the Government to continue to prioritise women's meaningful participation in the political transition, and to use this opportunity to take further steps to ensure a representative and inclusive political process.
We also encourage further concrete progress in the negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Government to build towards a unified and more secure Syria.
We reiterate our call on Israel to refrain from actions that risk destabilising Syria and to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The UK welcomes ongoing engagement between Syria and Israel. Dialogue and diplomacy, not military action, will help achieve a more peaceful future for both countries and for the region.
We acknowledge the progress made on aid access in Suwayda which USG Feltcher described for us, but call on all parties to focus on a solution for peace. 180,000 people remain displaced in southern Syria, with significant humanitarian needs.
We urge prioritising the restoration of critical infrastructure, such as water and electricity, as soon as possible.
Likewise, as the new school year starts, we urge the government to assist those displaced to return home so that children can continue their schooling at this critical moment.
We welcome the efforts of Syria, Jordan and the United States in developing a roadmap to address the crisis in Suwayda and stabilise Southern Syria.
Next week will see the historic visit of President Al Shara'a to the United Nations, where we look forward to hearing more details on his vision for a secure and prosperous Syria that delivers for the rights and needs of all Syrians.
We reiterate the importance of this Council taking the necessary measures to bolster Syria's economy, including reforming UN sanctions.
The UN can also play a crucial role in supporting Syria's transition, and in this regard, we look forward to hearing from the Secretary General on his recommendations for the UN's future role and footprint in Syria.
