Thank you, Mr. President.

I also thank Special Envoy Pedersen and Acting Under-Secretary-General Msuya for their briefings.

13-year conflict in Syria caused immense suffering for millions of Syrians, who are faced with restricted political space, worsening economy, mass displacement, terrorism, violence and ever deteriorating humanitarian situation.

These multiplying crises could have been avoided if the root causes of the conflict had been timely addressed in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

Unfortunately, not only the Syrian crisis has not been resolved, but the region has now been plunged into a grave and complicated turmoil.

At this critical juncture, it should be a key priority for all to keep Syria out of further spiral of regional violence.

The gravity of the situation in the Middle East should be a wake-up call, exposing the urgent need of a durable settlement of the Syrian conflict.

Inside and outside Syria, all actors have to face this reality and avoid treating the Syrian crisis as a frozen or post-conflict situation.

The only permanent solution lies in a Syria that is governed by the will of all Syrians, with its territorial integrity and unity preserved.

A durable settlement is not possible unless all relevant actors put forward a common effort and a common vision focused on 4 priorities. They are namely;

- First, revitalizing the political process through convening the Constitutional Committee without further delay. Unfortunately, obstructions continue on this.

- Second, creating conducive conditions for the safe, voluntary and dignified return of Syrians to their country,

- Third, combating separatist terrorism to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria and,

- Fourth, providing uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need in Syria.

The Constitutional Committee is at the centre of the UN political process for Syria. It is essential to ensure its continuity.

With the developments that can be achieved in the political process, further steps can be taken to easily improve people's lives on the ground.

Mr. President,

There are alarming developments in northeast Syria that should be a source of deep concern for everyone who genuinely care about preserving the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

The latest events in Deir ez-Zor show once again how misguided and unsustainable the support extended to the PKK/YPG/“SDF” terrorist organization is.

The oppressive practices and grave violations of this terrorist organization against the local population in northeast Syria, especially against children, has been widely documented for years, including by the UN.

They are doing almost the same in part of Iraq.

And most recently, as recorded in OCHA reports, the PKK/YPG/“SDF” terrorist organization revealed yet again its true ugly face by restricting the access of the local population in Deir ez-Zor to basic food supplies and drinking water as well as hindering the delivery of cross-line UN humanitarian assistance to Rasulayn-Tal Abiad area.

PKK and its offshoot, the so-called SDF, have been trying to subjugate the people of Syria for years under the pretext of fighting DAESH, while in reality is releasing DAESH affiliates and is solely focused on its own separatist agenda as exemplified by its so-called “social contract” and “local election” attempts.

As such, PKK/YPG/“SDF” is the biggest threat to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria as well as a grave danger to any meaningful effort towards achieving peace and stability in this country.

Mr. President,

Syria also remains beset by significantly deteriorating humanitarian situation.

In the 14th year of the crisis, a record 16,7 million people are in need of humanitarian aid inside the country.

Despite this, the UN's humanitarian response capacity is heavily constrained by uncertainties about access and inadequacy of funding.

While we note the continued use of the three border crossings for UN’s life-saving cross border aid deliveries, we call for needs-based predictable cross border access rather than artificial time-bound extensions.

Last-day, last-minute and short term extensions are not proper.

Similarly, it is necessary to preserve the “Whole of Syria” approach, which has been the backbone of the UN’s massive humanitarian response in this complicated conflict situation.

In light of the worsening humanitarian situation, it is also critical that humanitarian funding for Syria is not decreased and pledges are swiftly fulfilled.

As Türkiye, we will continue to facilitate humanitarian aid deliveries to Syria.

We are also cooperating with the UN to develop lasting solutions to the water and electricity problems in the north of Syria.

I thank Acting USG for mentioning this.

In conclusion, Mr. President,

We need a recalibrated focus of the international community with a broader coordination and a holistic approach for Syria.

Any meaningful step towards a genuine national reconciliation and in line with the expectations of the entire Syrian population will contribute to the solution of the Syrian conflict.

I thank you again Mr. President and wish you success during your Presidency of the Council.