Moral, Political Imperative of Peace in Syria Cannot Wait, Secretary-General Stresses

The following statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres was issued today:

For six years now, the Syria people have been victims of one of the worst conflicts of our time.

As the war enters its seventh year, I issue two urgent appeals to all parties.

First, make the most of the 30 December 2016 ceasefire established by the guarantors of the Astana meetings, enhance it further and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach all those in need in Syria without any obstacles and impediments.

Second, all those with influence on the parties to the conflict must strive to overcome their differences and work together to put an end to the conflict, namely contributing to the success of the intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva on the basis of the Geneva communiqué and relevant Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2254 (2015).

Peace in Syria is a moral and political imperative both for the Syrian people and for the world — an imperative that cannot wait.