STATEMENT BY AMB. MARTIN KIMANI, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE ON BEHALF OF A3 (GABON, GHANA AND KENYA) DURING THE
BRIEFING ON THE POLITICAL AND HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN SYRIA
THURSDAY, MARCH 24TH 2022 (10:00AM)
Thank you Madame President,
1. I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3: Gabon, Ghana and Kenya.
2. We thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, USG Martin Griffiths and H.E Hossam Zaki for their briefings. We also welcome the participation of the representatives of Syria, Iran and Turkey.
3. Our statement will focus on the political, security and humanitarian situation in Syria.
Madam President,
4. Eleven years since the armed conflict in Syria, the situation remains grim and deeply concerning. We are reminded that unnecessary violent conflict has claimed thousands of lives; generated millions of refugees and internally displaced persons; ignited a humanitarian crisis of historic proportions; and impoverished an entire population of a country that once knew peace and progress.
5. Today, Syria is struggling to regain its footing under the most difficult of circumstances. Its people need our support particularly in their quest for a political solution that takes into consideration their peace and security.
6. The A3 is pleased to note that the Special Envoy convened the seventh round of the Constitutional Committee meeting which is ongoing this week in Geneva. We commend the parties for the resumption of these crucial discussions and encourage a constructive engagement on the revisions of the draft text that will hopefully yield tangible progress.
7. We hope that the Parties can make commitments to hold more regular meetings in the coming weeks to create a momentum in the search for a lasting solution.
8. The A3 is in support of other innovative efforts aimed at moving the political process forward. These include addressing the situation of detainees — including facilitating the release of the detained vulnerable particularly the elderly, women and children as well as clarifying the status of missing persons which would be a significant confidence building measure.
9. We take note of the Special Envoy’s ongoing consultations on a step-for-step approach. It is important that this approach is implemented in accord to international law and International Humanitarian Law.
10. The A3 encourages the role and support of regional actors and reaffirm the need to bear in mind that Resolution 2254 remains the foremost roadmap to achieving the desired political solution to the Syrian crisis.