Mr. President,

The past weeks have been an anxious time for the Syrian people, the UN system and international humanitarian partners.

Despite very strong calls from the UN and the humanitarian world for a 12-month extension of the cross-border mechanism, and despite very strong support of the great majority of its members states had to settle with a six-month extension.

For the next six months, four point one million people, living in north west Syria, will have shelter and food.

We are glad that they are safe for now.

When the mandate of the UN’s cross-border mechanism comes to an end on January 10th , it will be in the dead of winter.

North West Syria is an unforgiving landscape which experiences extremely harsh weather conditions.

This is literally the worst time, one can think of, to re-consider life-saving humanitarian support.

Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that a viable alternative, with the capacity to reach the most vulnerable people in Syria, will be conceived in six months time.

After more than a decade of suffering, the people of Syria deserve better than this.

Mr. President,

Since 1945, almost everything about the UN has changed: except the privilege of veto.

And the veto power has, too often, failed the people of the world.

This weaponized privilege is the very reason that the Security Council cannot carry out its mandate.

The far-reaching consequences of the use of veto have increased international instability and deepened humanitarian crises.

This licence to pursue self-interests is the very reason why the international community has lost its trust in the UN.

So the question is, why do we allow the Security Council to exploit vital humanitarian issues?

Mr. President,

The General Assembly has priority and power over all other organs of the United Nations.

When necessary, the GA has the authority to hold all other organs of the UN, including the Security Council, to account.

Here, we have equality of voice and vote.

No member can wield power over another within this chamber.

No member can abuse its privileges to pursue its own interests.

Today’s debate is a seminal moment for the international community, and for the people of Syria.

This debate gives us an opportunity to remember:

That it was the General Assembly who established the principles and modalities of the humanitarian assistance.

That it was the General Assembly who adopted the resolution that established the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Not the Security Council.

Mr. President,

Humanitarian access must be governed by international humanitarian law, not by the self-serving veto privileges.

The Security Council should focus on how to find political solutions to the conflicts.

It is not in the Council’s purview to decide who needs humanitarian aid.

Today, and in the very near future, the General Assembly must be vocal and say that the people in need cannot be held hostage by abuse of veto power.

We must all reiterate:

That there is an imminent and grave danger of serious harm to the people of Syria.

That addressing the suffering and vulnerability of the people in north west Syria is a moral and humanitarian imperative. And it is an essential interest of the international community.

We must all remember that the GA has the authority to say that the UN’s vital cross-border aid operations must continue, for as long as they are needed.

This is a humanitarian issue that should, in no circumstances, be politicized by the Security Council.

Thank you.