Special Envoy for Syria receives standing ovation at the end of his term

In his last briefing to the Security Council in his role of the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Italian diplomat Staffan de Mistura said “we need a renewed sense of common purpose and concerted action in this Council if 2019 is to be the real turning point for Syria.” De Mistura updated the Council on the challenges that remain to create a new more inclusive constitution for post-war Syria, which was the subject of intensive consultations with senior ministers from Russia, Turkey and Iran earlier this week. One sticking point in determining the “middle third” list of the 50 individuals who will serve on a constitutional committee, alongside the 50 nominated both by the Government, and opposition leaders. He said “we have nearly completed the work of putting in place a constitutional committee to draft a constitutional reform, as a contribution to the political process- but there is an extra mile to go. We know what is needed for a safe, calm, neutral environment in Syria - and for UN supervised elections to the highest international standards pursuant to a new reformed constitution - but we have not been able to begin the full Work required to make that a reality.” Looking back at his more than four year-long tenure as the Special Envoy and the UN efforts to alleviate Syrians’ suffering, de Mistura said that lives have been saved and some progress on humanitarian access but he also said he “deeply regret what has not been achieved, and I am sorry more could have been done and it was not possible. I think we in the Security Council together should share that regret too.” In his final address, de Mistura, once again urged the Security Council to remain united in support of UN efforts, and to support his successor, Norwegian Geir Pedersen who will take up his post in January 2019. De Mistura said “as with my own predecessors and me, his success will depend on your unity and purpose to empower and support the UN, and pressure all parties to begin real dialogue, negotiation and compromise to address the grievances of the Syrian people and implement resolution 2254.” Wrapping up his briefing, Special Envoy reminded the Council’s member that “It is this Council ~ and this Council alone that is responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security.” He said “you have mandated the UN to facilitate the intra-Syrian political process for the implementation of resolution 2254. That is the only way to enable the Syrians to determine their own future. And we need a renewed sense of common purpose and concerted action in this Council if 2019 is to be the real turning point for Syria.” Staffan de Mistura’s tenure as the UN Special Envoy for Syria coincided with the bloodiest period of the crisis, with warring sides employing “medieval sieges”, barrel bombs, human shields and snipers in densely populated civilian areas. Throughout it all, de Mistura continued to push all sides in the conflict to adhere to the peace roadmap as well as urging that world leaders seize any “window of opportunity” to end the war. The crisis in Syria, which started with largely peaceful protests against President Assad in March 2011, has so far claimed over 400,000 lives and driven some 11.7 million people from their homes, including over 5.5 million to seek refuge into neighboring countries. At the end of his speech Mr. Mistura greets each member of the Council with a handshake and receives a standing ovations as he is stepping down as Special Envoy by the end of this year.