The dire security, economic, and humanitarian conditions in Syria demand immediate coordinated efforts from all parties involved in the conflict to revive a Syrian-led political process, according to Geir O. Pedersen, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for the country.
In a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Pederson highlighted the ongoing suffering of the Syrian people both within the country and abroad due to the multifaceted conflict.
Of specific concern is the deepening economic crisis, which Pedersen emphasised cannot be tackled without first addressing the conflict itself. The Syrian pound’s precipitous 80 percent decline in just three months, coupled with soaring essential goods prices, has exacerbated the situation, culminating in protests in government-controlled southern Syria.
Pedersen stressed that no single entity or group can unilaterally determine the outcome of the conflict or initiate the necessary steps for a political resolution. He reiterated the importance of a political process driven by Syrian parties to pave the way for a lasting solution.
“It is a deeply disconcerting situation whereby the intra-Syrian political advancement has remained in a prolonged state of suspension for over a year,” he lamented.
He also warned that the Humanitarian Response Plan for the year is only 25 percent funded, underlining the need to prevent sanctions from worsening the already dire situation.
