Mr. President,
Italy aligns with the statement delivered by the representative of the European Union and would like to add some further remarks in its national capacity.
Today for the third time Resolution 76/262 on Strengthening the United Nations system brings the General Assembly to debate the use of the veto in the Security Council. It is the second time in two years that the veto prevents the adoption of a humanitarian Resolution.
This is yet another blow to UN humanitarian aid aimed at supporting and protecting the most vulnerable. Russia’s decision to veto the Resolution on the Cross-Border Mechanism in Syria will have tangible humanitarian consequences, disrupting the delivery of life-saving supply to millions of people in need.
The Secretary-General and Under Secretary-General Griffiths strongly requested a renewal of twelve months. The draft resolution by the penholders, proposing to renew the border crossing at Bab Al Hawa for nine months, was already a compromise. Italy appreciates the hard work carried out by Switzerland and Brazil to balance the position of all Council members. The solution they proposed would have ensured much needed planning. It would have favored early recovery. It would have supported cross-line methods with the more efficient UN-coordinated cross-border assistance.
Russia’s decision to veto the draft after a genuine diplomatic effort will create once again a sense of uncertainty about the future for the Syrian population and will put the humanitarian system under heavy stress.
As we said in other UN contexts, the veto power blatantly contradicts a fundamental principle of the UN Charter, sovereign equality of States, and in too many occasions has prevented the Security Council from discharging its vital responsibilities on international peace and security. This is one of those occasions.
We take note of the recent decision of the Syrian regime to allow the United Nations and its agencies to cross through Bab Al Hawa for six months. It is however a short-term, bilateral agreement. Still not enough to provide neither sufficient predictability for humanitarian organisations nor humanitarian assistance in an efficient manner.
Mr. President,
the Security Council cannot fail to address the urgent humanitarian needs of a suffering population, ensuring the continuation of cross-border assistance to the people in northwest Syria through Bab Al Hawa. It is the only lifeline for millions of people. Italy calls on the Security Council to undertake every possible effort to find a solution that will enable cross-border assistance to continue.
We commend once again the exceptional work of OCHA and its implementing partners in Syria. They can keep on counting on the unwavering support of Italy.
I thank you.
