Now is the time to explore whether a political process in Syria can meaningfully move forward in 2022, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Security Council on Monday.
The Envoy expressed regret that the peace process is far away from being implemented.
He described the situation on the ground as a “strategic stalemate” for the past 21 months, “making it increasingly clear that no existing actor or group of actors can determine the outcome of the conflict, and that a military solution remains an illusion.”
“My sense from all engagements is that there is still great mistrust on all sides,” he said, adding that there are still possibilities for progress that need to be explored in 2022.
While warning that “no one should expect miracles or quick solutions”, Geir Pedersen said he hoped to work on concrete steps towards the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2254 this coming year.
Pedersen further underlined that a step-by-step approach was needed to reach a solution in ending the decade-long war.
With regards to the work of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, the Envoy said “I am ready to convene a seventh session of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva as soon as understandings are in place.”
Pedersen also commented on the ongoing cross-line aid operations. He said acceptable solutions were identified by all parties, while “an agreement needs to be reached on who would be involved in conducting cross-line convoys, and who would be authorized to distribute the aid.”
