Historical archive

Important resolution on humanitarian access in Syria

Historical archive

Published under: Solberg's Government

Publisher: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On 22 February, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted an important resolution that puts pressure on the parties to the conflict in Syria to improve the humanitarian situation.

On 22 February, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted an important resolution that puts pressure on the parties to the conflict in Syria to improve the humanitarian situation.

“With this resolution, the UN Security Council has shown that it is taking responsibility and will put pressure on the parties to improve the humanitarian conditions in Syria. Now the resolution must be translated into action on the ground. I expect the permanent members of the Security Council to exert all possible influence on the parties to the conflict to ensure that the resolution is implemented,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Børge Brende.

The unanimous resolution sends a strong and clear message from the Security Council. The Syrian people have been subject to unspeakable suffering as a result of the conflict. The international community is demanding that the parties immediately allow full and unimpeded access for humanitarian supplies of food, water and medicines to all those in need throughout Syria, and to allow aid convoys to cross the borders into Syria. The international community is also demanding that all parties stop besieging populated areas, stop attacks on civilians, and stop using barrel bombs and other weapons that randomly hit civilians.

“The international community and the UN Security Council have now made a decisive move towards improving the situation in Syria. This resolution with its clear demands for improvements to the humanitarian situation is significant. It is also important to make progress along the political track,” said Mr Brende.

Today’s resolution is the most strongly worded resolution on the Syrian conflict that has been passed by the Security Council since resolution 2118, which set out a plan of action for the removal and destruction of the country’s chemical weapons.

“The resolution provides for further measures if it is not implemented. The UN secretary-General is required to report on a monthly basis on the extent to which the parties are following up the resolution. This is an important step forwards in comparison with the non-binding texts that have previously been adopted,” said Mr Brende.