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Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Syria
New York, 27 August 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Mr Claudio Cordone, and Acting ASG OCHA, Mr Indrika Ratwatte, for their informative briefings.
I also thank Country Director of Women Now for Development - Lebanon, Ms. Rola Roukbi, for contributing to the discussion.
And I welcome the participation of the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, Qatar and Türkiye to this meeting.
Syria's resolute efforts towards stability and economic recovery make a significant contribution to the entire region. Continued and increased international support is needed to assist Syria in sustaining this progress on its path to prosperity and peace.
Against this backdrop, I would like to underline three points:
First, recent Israeli strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria raise deep concerns about the risk of strategic miscalculation and escalation. We urge all parties to exercise restraint and give way to diplomacy. We welcome the mediation efforts of the U.S. and Jordan that have culminated in the establishment of the security de‑confliction mechanism and urge all parties to engage in it in good faith.
Ensuring security interests through military force is not sustainable in the long term. Therefore, we encourage Israel and Syria to resume negotiations to reach mutually acceptable security arrangements, while upholding international law, respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and protecting civilians on both sides of the border.
We recognize the political restraint that Syria has demonstrated encountering ground raids and strikes that continue to violate the 1974 Disengagement Agreement in the Syrian Golan. We reiterate our firm commitment to the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic. While noting the recent arrangements that place the former Russian-operated bases under Syrian administration and welcoming efforts to enhance Syrian ownership and control, we continue to have concerns about the implications of Russia's continued military presence in Syria for regional stability and security.
Second, although much has been done in terms of economic recovery, humanitarian needs in Syria remain immense.
The growing number of Syrians returning to their communities demonstrates both - a strong desire to rebuild their lives and an opportunity to support Syria on a path towards greater stability and recovery. Yet returns must be accompanied by conditions that allow people to live safely and with dignity. Explosive ordnance contamination has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges, continuing to claim lives, cause injuries and impede safe access to homes, agricultural land and essential services. Adequate and sustained funding, together with continued international support, will be essential to address immediate humanitarian needs, expand demining and enable returning communities to rebuild their livelihoods.
We welcome the U.S. decision to rescind Syria's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. This significant development acknowledges the ongoing political and security transformation undertaken by Syria and has the potential to foster the growth of investment and business activity in the country and the region.
Third, governance, justice and continued international cooperation will be essential for Syria’s new chapter. Successful consolidation and strengthening of Syria’s governing institutions, women’s meaningful participation in decision-making and broad political representation of ethnic and religious communities, including in the People’s Assembly, are key elements of the cohesion of Syria’s diverse society. The recent announcement of the dissolution of the SDF and the ongoing integration of the northeast Syria’s administration into state institutions demonstrate meaningful efforts to build an inclusive and united country. We also encourage dialogue among all parties to reach a sustainable solution for Sweida.
Syria’s pursuit of transitional justice is an important chapter in national reconciliation. Those responsible for serious crimes must be held accountable with full respect for due process, bringing an end to the impunity of Assad regime and reinstating the rule of law at the core of the new Syria. We call on states to cooperate with, and support, Syria’s commitment to hold accountable the former Assad regime officials, who directed, committed and oversaw widespread and systematic attacks against the Syrian civilian population.
We have repeatedly expressed our support for the fruitful and meaningful cooperation between the Syrian authorities and the OPCW in order to eliminate all remnants of Assad’s chemical weapons programme. The voluntary reporting of previously undeclared nuclear material and the recently announced cooperation with the IAEA to fully implement necessary safeguards represent another important step forward as Syria continues its path towards compliance, responsibility and transparency.
To conclude, Madam President,
We strongly welcome Syria's constructive approach to fostering relations with the UN. With the Secretary-General’s recent visit to Syria, which took place at a meaningful moment for the Syrian people, the UN demonstrated that, alongside humanitarian aid, it can make a significant contribution to fostering Syria’s political transition, institution building and reconstruction. We look forward to the practical implementation of the outlined cooperation, and in this regard, the relocation of the Special Envoy's office to Damascus would be beneficial.
Once again recognising the determination of Syrian people to pursue stability, peace and economic recovery, Latvia reiterates its unwavering support for these shared goals.
I thank you.