Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, on the Middle East (Syria) - February 28th, 2023

Brazil makes this statement in its national capacity, on the political aspects of the conflict.

First of all, I would like to thank Special Envoy Geir Pedersen and USG Griffiths for their briefings. Brazil commends their tireless efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people after over a decade of conflict and now with the tragic consequences of earthquakes of unprecedented magnitude. Last week, the Brazilian government announced the donation of water purifiers and 7 tons of nutritious dehydrated foods to the government of Syria, as part of the efforts to help address the immediate needs of the affected populations. 

We also thank Syria Response Director for Save the Children, Ms Rasha Muhrez, for her presentation and insights. As Ms Rasha Muhrez has described, children all over Syria continue to endure terrible trauma when they should be spared of the consequences of the hostilities. The situation of children in camps, such as the Al-Hol, is particularly concerning and deserves renewed attention. We welcome, in this regard, the ongoing repatriation efforts.

Madam President,

The additional human suffering caused by the earthquakes exacerbates the need for a political solution to the conflict. Brazil’s position remains unchanged. Only a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led United Nations-facilitated political process, with due regard for the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, can offer a lasting solution to the conflict.

A comprehensive ceasefire is urgent.  We join the Secretary General in his repeated calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, maintain various ceasefires agreed and respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We condemn all terrorist activities and recent attacks from foreign forces, which resulted in several civilian deaths and seriously undermine the political process.

Resolution 2254 (2015) provides a roadmap that could restore Syria’s unity and sovereignty. For many months now, we have seen no progress in relation to the meetings of the Small Body of the Syrian-led, Syrian owned, UN facilitated Constitutional Committee. It is our hope that once reconvened, members will show renewed political will and genuine willingness to bring the process forward.

Brazil congratulates Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for his outreach efforts to re-engage key stakeholders to find a way out for the current stalemate in the political process. We also commend him for his continued engagement with the Women’s Advisory Board.

We hope the recent gestures of international solidarity in the aftermath of the earthquake could influence positively the political file, so that new perspectives of a peaceful solution can be made possible. It is our expectation that the current humanitarian cooperation can pave the way for further confidence-building measures. In 2023, let us not only hope but also work hard towards a favorable political outcome to Syria, to bring the peace, stability and reconciliation so desired by the Syrian people.

I thank you.