The top UN official in Iraq has strongly condemned the shooting of unarmed protesters in Baghdad on Friday night, which left a high number of deaths and injuries among innocent citizens, calling for the perpetrators to be “identified and brought to justice without delay”.
Madame la Présidente,
Permettez-moi de vous féliciter pour votre présidence du Conseil ce mois-ci.
Madame la Présidente,
Distingués membres du Conseil,
Je vous remercie de me donner la parole pour vous briefer sur la situation en Afrique centrale et les activités du Bureau régional des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique centrale (UNOCA),
depuis la publication du rapport qui vous a été soumis.
De façon générale, la situation politique et sécuritaire en Afrique centrale demeure préoccupante. En effet, la sous-région continue de faire face à des défis sécuritaires, humanitaires, socioéconomiques et en matière de droits humains. De même, les problèmes de sécurité liés au changement climatique se posent avec plus d’acuité. Toutefois, nous devrions saluer les principales réalisations enregistrées au cours des 11 derniers mois dans les réformes structurelles ainsi que dans la consolidation et la construction de la paix. Parmi ces réalisations, pour ne citer que celles-là, on pourra retenir la finalisation de tous les documents et instruments majeurs de la réforme de la Communauté économique des Etats de l’Afrique centrale (CEEAC) ; l’adoption du Plan d’action régional pour la mise en oeuvre de la résolution 1325 sur les Femmes, la paix et la sécurité ; et la création d’un réseau régional de la société civile, COPAC.
Entre 2020 et la fin du mandat en cours de l’UNOCA en août 2021, la plupart des Etats de la sous-région organiseront de nouvelles élections et, dans ce contexte, les efforts de promotion du dialogue national et d’une meilleure participation des femmes et des jeunes dans la gouvernance et la consolidation de la paix se poursuivent.
Le terrorisme représente toujours une menace à la stabilité de la sous-région de l’Afrique centrale, en particulier dans le bassin du lac Tchad où Boko Haram reste actif. Mon collègue Mohamed Ibn Chambas et moi-même étions au Nigéria en novembre pour boucler notre tournée dans les quatre pays du bassin du lac Tchad, entreprise conjointement avec le Représentant spécial de l’Union européenne pour le Sahel, Angel Losada. La Secrétaire exécutive de CTED, Michèle Coninsx, nous a rejoints au Tchad. Nous sommes arrivés à la conclusion qu’un appui à la mise en oeuvre de la Stratégie régionale en faveur de la stabilisation, du redressement et de la résilience des zones du bassin du lac Tchad touchées par Boko Haram devrait être une de nos priorités.
Madame la Présidente,
Le changement climatique continue d’avoir un impact sur la vie des femmes et des hommes en Afrique centrale, avec souvent des implications directes sur la paix et la sécurité. Le 20 novembre, le Gouvernement de la République du Congo a déclaré l’état de catastrophe naturelle et d’urgence humanitaire dans trois départements du nord, en raison de sérieuses inondations qui affectent environ 50.000 personnes. Il convient de noter que plusieurs autres pays de l’Afrique centrale font également face à de graves catastrophes naturelles liées au changement climatique. J’appelle les partenaires internationaux à apporter une assistance humanitaire aux gouvernements concernés.
Du 25 au 29 novembre, je me suis rendu à Luanda, en Angola, pour participer à la 49ème réunion du Comité consultatif permanent des Nations Unies chargé des questions de sécurité en Afrique centrale. Le Comité a discuté de la situation géopolitique et sécuritaire en Afrique centrale et tenu un débat consacré au changement climatique et à son impact sur la paix et la sécurité. A l’issue de sa session ministérielle, le Comité a adopté la Déclaration de Luanda sur l’Impact du changement climatique sur la paix et la sécurité en Afrique centrale.
La sous-région de l’Afrique centrale continue de faire face aux défis de la sécurité maritime, notamment dans le golfe de Guinée. Le 7 novembre, une attaque contre un pétrolier a
été signalée au nord-ouest de Sao Tomé. Le 20 novembre, le Centre interrégional de coordination (CIC) à Yaoundé a signalé une autre attaque près de Malabo, ce qui a amené le Gouvernement de la Guinée équatoriale à placer ses forces de sécurité en état d’alerte élevée dans tout le pays. Le Représentant spécial Ibn Chambas et moi-même envisageons de mener une visite conjointe au CIC début 2020, pour évaluer la situation maritime dans le golfe de Guinée et déterminer les domaines spécifiques dans lesquels les Nations Unies pourraient apporter une assistance interrégionale intégrée.
Je suis encouragé par les efforts déployés par les Etats de l’Afrique centrale pour améliorer les capacités en matière de coopération sous-régionale en renforçant la CEEAC. L’organisation sous-régionale est en train d’accélérer son action pour la tenue à Libreville du 9ème Sommet extraordinaire des chefs d’Etat et de gouvernement, le 18 décembre prochain, qui sera consacré à sa réforme. Au cours de ce Sommet, les dirigeants de l’Afrique centrale devraient approuver le programme de réforme institutionnelle de la CEEAC. Les conclusions de ce Sommet constitueront une étape importante dans le processus de réforme. Je réaffirme l’engagement total des Nations Unies à travailler main dans la main avec la CEEAC et ses Etats membres, ainsi que leurs partenaires, pour la mise en oeuvre de la réforme et contribuer au développement des capacités de la CEEAC.
Comme vous le savez, Madame la Présidente, le Gouvernement du Cameroun a organisé un dialogue national du 30 septembre au 4 octobre, et qui s’est achevé avec une série de recommendations clés destinées à répondre à la crise dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud- Ouest. Je reste cependant préoccupé par le niveau de violence qui continue de menacer la vie des Camerounais, tandis que l’on ne cesse de rapporter des cas de violations des droits humains et d’abus attribués à toutes les parties. Le personnel humanitaire a également été attaqué, ce qui met en exergue l’ampleur de l’insécurité. Plus de 700.000 personnes seraient maintenant déplacées en raison du conflit en cours dans les deux régions. D’autres rapports indiquent également que des milliers de personnes sont mortes ou ont été blessées. J’appelle les partenaires internationaux à appuyer les efforts nationaux en cours visant à répondre aux besoins humanitaires de la population.
A la suite du dialogue national, quelques mesures ont déjà été prises, telle que la libération de certains prisonniers, ce qui est à saluer. Une mise en oeuvre rapide des recommandations du dialogue constituera un pas supplémentaire vers une solution durable à la crise. Du 19 au 24 novembre, le Gouvernement du Cameroun a envoyé des délégations dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest pour sensibiliser sur les conclusions du dialogue national. Le Président de la Commission de l’Union africaine, Moussa Faki Mahamat, la Secrétaire générale de l’Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, et la Secrétaire générale du Commonwealth, Patricia Janet Scotland, se sont rendus récemment au Cameroun pour échanger avec les acteurs nationaux, y compris le Président Paul Biya, sur la situation dans le pays. Dans leur déclaration finale conjointe, les trois officiels ont encouragé « l’ensemble des parties prenantes à continuer dans cette voie de la sagesse et de la responsabilité, notamment celle du Gouvernement dans la mise en oeuvre des conclusions » du dialogue national.
A la suite de l’annonce faite par le Président Paul Biya sur la tenue des élections législatives et municipales au Cameroun le 9 février 2020, le chef du parti de l’opposition le Mouvement pour la renaissance du Cameroun, Maurice Kamto, a informé le 25 novembre que son parti ne participerait pas aux élections, affirmant que les conditions ne seraient pas réunies pour que le vote ait lieu dans les régions du Nord-Ouest et du Sud-Ouest. Il a également appelé à une révision du code électoral. D’autres partis politiques ont exprimé quelques réserves sur leur participation aux élections. En réponse, au cours d’une conférence de presse organisée le 2 décembre, le Ministre de l’Administration du territoire et le Ministre de la Communication ont assuré que les conditions étaient en place pour des élections apaisées.
Comme le Secrétaire général l’a souligné dans son rapport, il est important de poursuivre le dialogue avec toutes les parties prenantes « afin d’apaiser les griefs sous-jacents de ceux qui se sentent marginalisés ». Il est essentiel de renforcer la dynamique créée par le dialogue national en assurant l’inclusivité dans la mise en oeuvre des recommandations du dialogue, y compris sur une décentralisation accrue, l’aide au développement, et le désarmement, la démobilisation et la réintégration (DDR). La tenue d’élections apaisées, inclusives et crédibles en 2020 dépendra en grande partie de tels efforts et sera un test capital pour la démocratie dans le pays et pour démontrer la détermination des acteurs nationaux à avancer vers une véritable stabilité, ainsi que vers un développement socioéconomique et une paix durables pour tous les Camerounais. Les Nations Unies restent engagées à travailler en étroite collaboration avec les autorités nationales et les autres acteurs concernés à cet effet, ainsi qu’à appuyer les initiatives locales faisant la promotion de la participation des femmes, des jeunes et d’autres groupes marginalisés. Parallèlement, il est essentiel que tous les acteurs sur le terrain renforcent leurs efforts pour protéger et promouvoir les droits humains et lutter contre l’impunité.
Au Tchad, la situation sécuritaire dans les trois provinces qui ont une frontière commune avec la Libye et le Soudan et sont en état d’urgence représente toujours un risque pour la consolidation d’une paix durable. Ceci nécessitera un engagement multiforme continu, spécialement au moment où le Tchad poursuit ses préparatifs en vue de la tenue d’élections législatives longtemps reportées et prévues maintenant pour le premier trimestre de l’année prochaine et la tenue de l’élection présidentielle en 2021.
En République du Congo, il faudra poursuivre les efforts visant à créer un environnement politique favorable à la tenue de l’élection présidentielle en 2021. Le Secrétariat permanent du Conseil national du dialogue poursuit ses consultations avec un vaste éventail d’acteurs nationaux, y compris les partis politiques et la société civile, avec le soutien des Nations Unies à travers le Fonds de consolidation de la paix, afin de préparer un dialogue national inclusif pour 2020. J’appelle les autorités nationales et toutes les autres parties prenantes à unir leurs efforts afin de contribuer à la tenue d’un dialogue véritablement inclusif et constructif, ce qui créera un environement favorable à la consolidation de la paix et les conditions propices à la tenue d’une élection présidentielle apaisée, inclusive et crédible. Une assistance internationale constante pour la stabilisation de la région du Pool est également nécessaire, tout comme la contribution financière indispensable du Gouvernement pour la mise en oeuvre effective du programme de DDR.
Madam President,
Distinguished members of the Council,
I would like to reiterate my appreciation to the Security Council for its continued support to UNOCA and myself to facilitate the implementation of our mandate. Your support was, once again, evidenced through the presidential statement of 12 September 2019 welcoming the conclusions of UNOCA’s strategic review. DPPA and UNOCA are working together, in cooperation with relevant UN entities, to ensure the full implementation of the strategic review recommendations. We will continue to update you as appropriate.
Thank you for your attention.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
New YorkPBC discusses transhumance and sustainable peace and development in West Africa and the Sahel
Support to peacebuilding in the Sahel, Lake Chad and Mano River Union discussed
Security CouncilSpecial Representative calls for “bold, forward thinking” in Iraq
Political and security situation in Central Africa worrying, says Special Representative AfghanistanAfghan community leaders call for support for peace in the country Viet NamASEAN, UN and Viet Nam discuss cooperation towards a more inclusive and agile mechanism for conflict management and resolution
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LibyaLibyans, UN discuss national response to displacement
Somalia‘One person, one vote’ elections in 2020
UN Representative to the African Union makes first visit to Somalia ColombiaBusiness roundtable with former combatants
Alliance for life, development and peace consolidation in the territories
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Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
The international community on Friday took stock of action to improve UN peacekeeping in line with a Security Council resolution aimed at enhancing performance at all levels, both at Headquarters in New York and in the field.
Peacekeepers have been sent to the northern Lakes region in South Sudan in a bid to deter further violence between communities there, the UN Mission in the country, UNMISS, said on Tuesday.
After decades of sectarian strife and conflict, “a renewed sense of patriotism has taken hold”, the head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) told the Security Council on Tuesday.
The Members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern at the recent escalation of violence in Libya. The Members of the Security Council stressed the need for all parties urgently to de-escalate the situation and to commit to a ceasefire.
The Members of the Security Council reaffirmed their full support for the leadership of the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Ghassan Salamé and for his work to resolve the conflict...
Security in Mali has become critical, with unprecedented incidents of communal violence and increasingly more deadly terror attacks, reported a UN human rights expert on Monday, following a 10-day visit to the country.
The recycling of plastic waste in India is boosting the incomes of impoverished women and helping build roads and fire cement furnaces, thanks to support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Nearly half a million children in eastern Ukraine continue to face “grave risks” to their physical health and psychological well-being, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday.
A recap of Friday’s stories in brief: attacks on communities in an Ebola outbreak hotspot in eastern DRC sparks a humanitarian crisis; Guterres expresses concerns at continued protester deaths in Iraq; UN-appointed panel raises concerns about violence against indigenous rights defenders in Colombia; 5 things you need to know about COP25; UN rights chief urges dialogue to ease Ecuador unrest.
This Week in DPPA is a brief roundup of political and peacebuilding events and developments at UNHQ and around the world.
New YorkDiCarlo: “Stand by the Palestinian people, today and every day”
Security Council“Critical time for Lebanon,” Security Council members say
ColombiaCommemoration of signing of peace agreement in Colombia
Communication and gender workshop with former FARC combatants
AfghanistanCommunities across Afghanistan call for an end to violence against women |
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IraqSpecial Representative meets injured protesters at Baghdad hospitals
African UnionTetteh: “Imperative to have young people have a seat at the table”
Coordination meeting between incoming AU PSC Chair and UNSC Presidency
Mano River UnionUN and Mano River Union discuss threats to peace and stability
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Subscribe to This Week in DPPA by clicking here: Sign Up Now
Contact DPPA at dppa@un.org
UN chief António Guterres has expressed deep concern over reports of the continued use of live ammunition against demonstrators in Iraq.
Deadly night-time attacks by armed groups have once again claimed the lives of frontline healthworkers helping to confront the deadly Ebola virus in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Thursday.
A recap of Wednesday’s stories in brief: UN Afghan Mission calls for probe into school paedophile ring; thousands of children dying from measles in DRC; UN reaffirms solidarity with Palestinians; migrants send billions back home; trust and security “essential” in digital space; and FAO recommends switch to traditional diets.
The United Nations has underlined its unwavering commitment to the Palestinian people in their ongoing struggle to achieve self-determination, independence and sovereignty.
Peacekeepers from the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) were conducting extensive patrols in the east of the country on Tuesday, one day after demonstrators set fire to buildings to protest lack of civilian protection in the face of attacks by armed groups.
The leader of the special UN Investigation Team probing crimes committed by ISIL terrorists in Iraq, said on Tuesday that the courage being demonstrated by survivors coming forward “serves to underline the urgency” they need to carry on with their work.
Unless countries work together to address gaps in digital access, as well as related social and political divisions, this generation will be remembered as the one that “ruined the early promise of the Internet”, the UN Secretary-General has warned.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed recent steps towards a peaceful resolution to the political turmoil in Bolivia.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAU, Ms. Hanna Tetteh, delivered remarks at the inaugural Denmark-Africa dialogue that was held in Addis Ababa on 26 November 2019.
The dialogue convened under the theme, "Strengthening Conflict Resilience Through Prevention and Youth Engagement", and brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, practitioners, youth representatives, academia and many others. SRSG Tetteh delivered remarks alongside the...
The UN Secretary-General held “focused and frank” informal talks with the leaders of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities on Monday in order to “take stock of efforts” to finally reach a settlement over the divided Mediterranean island.
A recap of Monday’s stories in brief: Guterres holds “focused and frank” informal talks over Cyprus, responds to Colombia protests; Violence targeting women impedes peace; UN Mission, community condemn South Sudan violence; UN weather watchdog sounds climate alarm; Norway hosts anti-landmine summit.
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has met with national authorities in the wake of an attack against its headquarters in Beni on Monday, which left the building badly damaged.
Today begins the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) (25 November-10 December). On this occasion, the United Nations System in Lebanon and the ...
Community leaders issued an apology on Monday after rioting on 21 November by “drunken youth” within a UN Protection of Civilians site run by UNMISS in South Sudan, left two dead and eight UN personnel injured, including five police officers.
A UN worker was killed and two people were injured when their vehicle was attacked in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.
A UN worker was killed and two people were injured when their vehicle was attacked in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Sunday.
Madam President,
On 30 October, 150 Syrian men and women gathered in Geneva to launch a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned, credible, balanced and inclusive Constitutional Committee facilitated by the United Nations. There were 50 members nominated by the Government of the Syrian Arab Republic; 50 members nominated by the opposition Syrian Negotiations Commission; and 50 civil society activists and experts and other independents, from inside and outside of Syria, in a so-called Middle Third.
This was a potentially historic moment. It brought Syrians together in one room within the formal political process mandated by this Council – for the first face-to-face talks in five years … for the first time ever following a political agreement between the government and opposition … and for the first time ever with civil society present.
This launch was a sign of hope for the Syrian people, and a chance for the Syrian parties to begin a direct dialogue that they lead and own on the future of a broken country. It opened a door to a political effort to overcome nearly nine years of conflict and chart a path to a new day for Syria in accordance with Security Council resolution 2254, which has all the elements required for a political settlement.
Madam President,
Over the next two days, Members of the Large Body offered visions for Syria’s future constitutional arrangements. They adopted by consensus a Code of Conduct and a set of Initial Procedural Practices. And agreement was reached on the 45 Members to work in the Small drafting Body.
Thereafter, the Small Body– 15 from each 50 – convened and reviewed ideas and proposals in the speeches delivered by members in the Large Body -- and offered other ideas too -- to identify potential constitutional principles. There were extensive exchanges and ideas put forward. And they agreed to return to Geneva this coming Monday 25 November.
Madam President,
I commend committee members for their courage and patriotism in participating in these initial proceedings, and for the way that they did so. It was not easy. There was mistrust and suspicion, and strong feelings, among the members. There were deep feelings of anger and of loss, personal and national. Narratives, positions and proposals diverged sharply. At times, proceedings were painful, and emotions ran high.
And yet everyone stayed engaged. The members of the Committee agreed an initial agenda and listened to each other’s discourse. And there were efforts in language, tone, gesture and positioning to signal an openness to dialogue. With each passing day there was a little more of this.
I appreciated the business-like approach of the two equal Co-Chairs -- Dr. Ahmed Kuzbari nominated by the Government and Mr. Hadi al-Bahra nominated by the Opposition. They respected their responsibilities and alternated the chairmanship of meetings. They enabled Committee members to speak openly and frankly. They dealt in good faith with me and my team.
Let me also observe that, while we will focus on what the parties say in the room, it is important that public statements show commitment to the Committee’s work based on the political agreement that both parties made to launch it. There is work to be done in this regard.
It would be too early to say there is agreement on constitutional principles. Nor is there yet agreement on which issues should be addressed in a future constitutional text and which should be addressed in other ways. But there was a solid initial discussion and there are commonalities on which to build. I have urged the Members during the recess to reflect on what was discussed and return ready to build on it. The Government and the Opposition 15 have been meeting with the remaining 35 of their respective groups to this end.
I have discussed with the Co-Chairs that we need them to propose a forward-looking agenda for the coming work, and they have agreed with me that this is important. My good offices are at their disposal.
Let me say a few words on the “Middle Third”, whose members include civil society, independents, experts and other Syrians of standing. They have no formal political affiliations, and none of them speaks for any other of them. Like Syrian society in general, there are differences in their opinions, experiences, fears, objectives and connections.
Despite this, they sat together, worked together, and began their own long task of building trust and confidence with one another. As this effort proceeds, it will be important to enable the 15 in the Small Body to consult the remaining 35 in their group. I look forward to furthering initial discussions with them – and the Co-Chairs – in this regard.
Let me also recall that around 30% of members are women. They made their voices heard on all issues. Gender equality and women’s rights issues were prominent in discussions - raised by both men and women – and are areas where I sensed some potential for initial common ground.
Madam President,
I should add that the Women’s Advisory Board was convened in Geneva as the Constitutional Committee proceedings began, and its members showed an example of how a cross-section of Syrians can build trust and work together. I look forward to them convening again in Geneva in the not-too-distant future.
I also look forward to continuing the process of consultations by the United Nations with a wide cross-section of Syrian civil society from both inside and outside Syria through the work of our Civil Society Support Room, and we expect further engagement in that framework fairly soon as well.
Let me thank you, the Security Council, for uniting to support the Constitutional Committee. I was glad to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkey, and earlier with representatives of the Small Group, in Geneva before the launch.
Madam President,
This brings me to the bigger picture. Undoubtedly, the work of the committee can build trust and confidence. But if confidence is to develop among the Syrian people in the political process, the dynamics on the ground need to begin to change – and that must start with fully respecting international humanitarian and human rights law and the protection of civilians.
I am extremely concerned about renewed violence in Idlib. There are 3 million civilians in Idlib, many of whom have fled from fighting elsewhere in Syria and who have suffered and continue to suffer. There has been escalation these past weeks in aerial bombardment, as well as ground-based attacks from both sides. Just two days ago, at least a dozen civilians were killed and 50 injured, including children, when a missile reportedly launched from Syrian-government territory struck an IDP camp and near a maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, there have been significant developments in the north-east: a Turkish military intervention into Syria together with Syrian armed opposition forces; the Syrian Government deploying troops in the north-east following an understanding with the Syrian Democratic Forces; a US-Turkish ceasefire understanding; a Turkish-Russian understanding, leading to joint patrols along the Turkish border; and the redeployment of US forces from large parts of the north-east to Deir-ez-Zor and Hasakeh, including close to oil fields. While these understandings have reduced violence in the area, reports of clashes and shellings continue. More than 90 civilians have been killed -- and, while many have returned home, more than 75,000 remain displaced.
Meanwhile, Israeli air strikes near Damascus, which Israel said was in response to rockets launched towards Israel, reportedly killed two civilians.
All these dynamics are extremely worrying. We must step away from any trend that could lead towards a deeper international conflagration over Syria, and the continued infringement of Syria’s sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.
Resolution 2254 also calls for nationwide ceasefire and a common approach to combatting terrorism. The unsolved challenge of HTS, the danger of ISIL resurgence, and the continuing threat of foreign terrorist fighters only underlines the need for a cooperative approach – one that ensures stability, protects civilians, fully upholds international humanitarian law, promotes real calm, and prioritizes a political solution.
Madam President,
As violence and suffering continues, Syrians, on all sides, demand concrete actions from this process to improve their lives. I continue to consider unilateral releases of detainees/abductees, and steps for clarifying the fate of the missing persons by all parties and at a meaningful scale, as crucial entry points in that regard.
But I also remain convinced that a broader set of concrete actions would likely have to follow a “steps for steps” model, with some element of reciprocity, building trust and confidence between Syrians and with the international community.
I continue to pursue a discussion with the Syrian parties on the wider dimensions of the process and to offer my good offices to the key regional and international players on these issues. Russian and American officials continue to meet to discuss steps that could be taken. I had a valuable discussion on this with German Chancellor Merkel and senior officials in Berlin last week. Within the Astana group, the dialogue among countries supporting different players in Syria continues. And I continue to support the convening of an international format that could bring the key players together in a common effort.
Ultimately, I believe that all of these efforts should lead towards the establishment of a safe, calm and neutral environment. This would allow any constitutional reform to be matched by emerging positive conditions on the ground – as well as an environment which would allow for inclusive free and fair elections administered under the supervision of the United Nations in line with resolution 2254. And clearly, the steps to create such an environment would also contribute to refugees having the confidence to return in a voluntary, safe and dignified manner.
Madam President,
It is my firm hope that, with the Constitutional Committee as a door opener, the government and the opposition will be able in time to establish a relationship; violence will abate and conditions on the ground will change; and a comprehensive and decisive solution will finally emerge for the benefit of all Syrians. The Syrian parties, who are leading and owning this process, must seize the opportunity that the launch of the committee offers. And they, and all of us, must build around it a mutually reinforcing dynamic for the sake of the Syrian people. I appreciate the support of all of you as I continue to work in this direction, in implementation of my mandate in resolution 2254.
