Madam President,

Let me thank Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffiths and Special Envoy Geir Pedersen for their briefings.

Secretary General’s special report, prepared in line with Resolution 2642, clearly illustrates the grave humanitarian situation in Syria. As the report highlights, the humanitarian crisis has become protracted over the years with ever increasing needs.

The number of people estimated to require humanitarian assistance escalated once again, reaching 15.3 million. This is the highest number, since the beginning of the conflict in 2011.

Harsh winter months are of special concern especially for the most vulnerable, including IDPs, women, children, elderly and the disabled people.

In view of this grim outlook, the continued provision of life-saving humanitarian aid is critical as ever.

The cross-border operation has proven itself as a reliable life-line of humanitarian assistance for millions of people living in northwest Syria.

Through this closely monitored operation, the United Nations reaches 2.7 million people each month, and does so in an accountable and transparent manner.

This assistance goes beyond physical aid and also includes critical support in education, protection and health services.

The scale, scope and efficiency of the cross-border operation has no match or substitute.

Since the adoption of Resolution 2585, the United Nations agencies have successfully completed nine cross-line missions to north-west Syria, as a complement to the massive cross-border operation.

The most recent cross-line mission, which took place on November 30th, was the fourth of monthly convoys in August, September, October and November, since the adoption of Resolution 2642.

Secretary General’s special report on humanitarian needs in Syria also provides detailed information on the progress made in relation to early recovery. We continue to emphasize that all regions should benefit fairly from these projects based on the needs-assessment of the UN.

Madam President,

We are now exactly three weeks away from the expiration date of the UN cross-border authorization by the Security Council.

It is clear what needs to be done.

It is clear what Syrian people, the UN and humanitarian community need.

As we have said before in this Chamber, there is no hidden agenda at issue here. The aim is nothing but to save lives who depend on this assistance.

The resolutions adopted by the Security Council since 2014 have affirmed the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political unity of Syria.

They established control, oversight, transparency and accountability over the UN aid; and allowed the Security Council to monitor this process.

A halt in the delivery of UN food assistance, critical medical supplies and other life-saving aid would threaten the lives of the millions who rely on us to keep them alive.

We renew our call on all members to be guided solely by humanitarian considerations. We cannot afford to politicize this issue.

We urge this Council to continue to do what is right, and support the indispensable UN cross border mechanism beyond January 2023.

Madam President,

According to OCHA’s 2023 Global Humanitarian Overview, Syria ranks second in the list of countries that need the most resources for humanitarian assistance activities.

The UN and its humanitarian partners’ ability to respond to large-scale needs in Syria depends on having access to adequate financing as much as access to the people in need.

The persistent low financing rates of the Syria Humanitarian Response Plans over the years is a source of concern. The negative trend continued this year and the Plan received only 43 percent of what was needed for 2022.

We echo the calls for adequate funding to be allocated to UN’s humanitarian response in Syria.

Madam President,

The crimes committed by PKK/YPG/“SDF” terrorist organization is a cause of great concern.

In the last two years, more than 500 Syrians have been killed as a result of PKK/YPG attacks in northern Syria.

PKK/YPG/“SDF” oppresses the people in the northeast and pursues a separatist agenda.

Supporting this terrorist/separatist organization under the pretext of fighting DAESH is against, first and foremost, the UN resolutions which reaffirm strong commitment to the territorial integrity of Syria.

The PKK/YPG also poses a vital threat to our national security.

The attacks in Taksim/İstanbul and Karkamış/Gaziantep last month once again displayed the real face of PKK/YPG/“SDF” terrorism harbored in northern Syria.

Madam President,

No country is entitled to give us lessons about our fight against terrorism. We reject the self-entitled statements that we listened today, what we should do, what we should not do while defending our borders and protecting our people.

Our determination is unwavering. We will continue to take every necessary step to protect our people and to ensure our border security.

Madam President,

A sustainable solution to the Syrian conflict can only be achieved through political means in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

It is crucial that the political process is not stalled.

Constitutional Committee meetings should continue under the UN hosting.

We expect the 9th round of the Constitutional Committee to be held as soon as possible.

All relevant parties should be encouraged towards this end.

The success of the political process must be a priority for all.

As to the hallucinatory statement of the Syrian regime representative, I will not honor him and his delusional statement with a response.

I thank you.