Security Council Briefings

The fires of conflicts are raging the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza, and in Lebanon. And the heat is being felt in Syria too. Spiralling escalation is already having a major impact on Syria and Syrian civilians.

I have repeatedly warned of the risks of regional spillover and regional escalation dragging Syria into even deeper conflict. This week has seen a major escalation of regional tensions. I share the Secretary General’s deep alarm at the reports of a large number of communication devices exploding acr

This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions – a timely reminder to all parties in the Syrian conflict of their obligations under international humanitarian law, which must be adhered to in both letter and spirit. It is deplorable that civilians continue to be killed and injured

I have four key messages for you today. My first message is a reminder that Syria remains in a state of profound conflict, complexity and division. Syria is riddled with armed actors, listed terrorist groups, foreign armies and front-lines.

It is an honour to brief the Security Council again. Over the past months I have met hundreds of Syrians – men and women of all backgrounds, who differ on many things, but who share a common concern for the future of their country. Their suffering is increasing, not decreasing. They fear Syria is

The Syrian people remain trapped in a profound crisis, which is becoming more entrenched with time, with no clear political path to implement resolution 2254 emerging, and threatening prolonged division and despair. This is not just tragic – it is dangerous. In the absence of a comprehensive politic

This last month, the grim specter of regional conflict loomed over Syria once again. You will have heard the Secretary-General’s condemnation, and my own, of the 1 April strikes on Iranian diplomatic premises in Damascus - an attack widely attributed to Israel. You will also have heard the Secretary…

After thirteen years of conflict in Syria, and despite a year of new diplomatic avenues, the tragic reality is that developments are all going in the wrong direction – including in the security, humanitarian, human rights, economic and political spheres. I am alarmed at the trajectory of events, and…

Let me first express my deep concern about the situation on the ground in Syria and the devastating impact it is having on civilians.

2023 has been another very difficult year for Syria. A year that saw devastating earthquakes, humanitarian needs reaching new highs, the economy plummeting to new lows, and the worst violence in three years. The year also saw new diplomatic openings, but did not lead to tangible changes on the groun

Let me start with the ongoing and urgent need for de-escalation in Syria and across the region, which remains the most pressing matter at hand. We remain deeply concerned about the prospect of a potentially wider escalation in Syria. The effects of the tragic developments in the Occupied Palestinin