Note: A complete summary of today's Security Council meeting on the Syria cross-border mechanism will be made available upon completion.
Statements before Vote on S/2023/506
SÉRGIO FRANÇA DANESE (Brazil) said that his delegation and that of Switzerland, as co-penholders, spared no effort to achieve consensus on cross-border humanitarian aid to Syria, engaging not only all Council members, but also governmental and non-governmental humanitarians over the past few weeks. The two delegations listened carefully to actors on the ground and recognized the need for a year-long extension of the cross-border aid mechanism to meet humanitarian needs in Syria. The amended text proposes a nine-month extension and represents a renewed attempt at compromise. It also reflects the positions of many - including operative paragraphs on cross-line aid, early recovery projects, more funding, mine action and safe, voluntary, informed and dignified return - he added, asking the Council to support the draft.
SHINO MITSUKO (Japan), speaking for the 10 elected Council members, expressed appreciation for the co-penholders' extensive efforts to draft a balanced text that reflects the views and legitimate concerns of delegations, and more importantly, meets the pressing humanitarian needs of the Syrian people. The draft will guarantee the uninterrupted flow of aid to 4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian support in north-west Syria. Commending the efforts of all delegations - particularly those of Gabon, Ghana, Mozambique and the United Arab Emirates for their constructive proposals - she said that the 10 elected members would have preferred a longer mandate authorization. They, however, recognized the utility of upholding the Council's unified position, she said, strongly urging all Council members to vote in favour of the draft.
PEDRO COMISSÁRIO AFONSO (Mozambique), speaking also for Gabon and Ghana, said the countries for whom he speaks had worked to adopt a balanced text. Expressing regret that the Council had before it two competing texts on the humanitarian situation in Syria, he supported the consensual adoption of a resolution that would support the pressing humanitarian needs of that country's people. The nine-month mandate is the best available option to that end, and should solicit the Council's consensus. He said that the countries for whom he speaks will vote in favour of the draft resolution supported by the Council's 10 elected members, guided by the interests of the Syrian people.
LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) said that her delegation will vote in favour of the compromise resolution, as it will extend vital humanitarian assistance. If the resolution is opposed, it will shutter a humanitarian lifeline. There is no time to waste, she underscored, noting that the Syrian people are counting on the Council. While the organ frequently faces contentious issues, this vote should not be controversial. The cross-border mechanism helps 2.7 million people every month, and after 12 years of war and recent devastating earthquakes, the humanitarian situation in Syria has been pushed to the brink. Nothing can replace the scope and scale of cross-border aid, she stressed, adding that the text is a compromise - a bare minimum - as it falls short of the needs on the ground and the Secretary-General's request for a 12-month extension.
Action
By a vote of 1 against (Russian Federation) to 13 in favour, with 1 abstention (China), the Council failed to adopt the resolution, owing to the negative vote cast by a permanent member.
Statements after Vote
PASCALE CHRISTINE BAERISWYL (Switzerland) expressed disappointment that the Council did not adopt the resolution. Over the last week, Switzerland and Brazil engaged with all Council members and regional partners, sparing no effort to accommodate concerns and reach common ground. The text would have ensured that humanitarian assistance continues to reach those in need in north-west Syria, and a nine-month extension would have allowed humanitarian activities to bridge winter months. Expressing regret that this compromise was rejected through the use of one veto, she emphasized: "We will not let this veto cease our tireless efforts to find a solution".
Ms. THOMAS-GREENFIELD (United States) said: "This is a sad moment for the Syrian people and for this Council, save for one country." Noting that a majority stood together to extend the humanitarian lifeline, she questioned: "I just have to ask why Russia has not lived up to its responsibility as a permanent member of this Council?" The text was a compromise and "the absolute minimum" that could be achieved, she added, noting that her delegation supported the resolution in that spirit. "And Russia cannot even do that," she stressed, pointing out that the Russian Federation will have to answer to the international community and the Syrian people to "justify the unjustifiable". In this context, she emphasized: "We must all urge Russia to come back to the table in good faith. There is no time to waste. Lives hang in the balance."
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