Japan-Syria Relations
Supporting the future of Syria and the region, Brussels IV Conference, 2020
July 6, 2020
On 30th of June 2020, the fourth conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region" (Brussels IV Conference, 2020)，co-chaired by the European Union and the United Nations，was held as on-line meeting. From Japan, Mr. NAKATANI Shinichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the conference through video statement. The overview of the conference is as follows;
1 Background
(1)Following the prolonged Syrian crisis, the conference aims to secure continuous support by the international community toward the Syrian people and the neighboring counties/regions, and reaffirms the support for a political solution to the crisis.
(2)The Conference is the eighth international donor conference on support to Syria, following the series of conferences held in Kuwait from 2013 to 2015, in London in 2016 and Brussels from 2017 to 2019.
(2)The Conference is the eighth international donor conference on support to Syria, following the series of conferences held in Kuwait from 2013 to 2015, in London in 2016 and Brussels from 2017 to 2019.
2 Overview and Evaluation
(1) The conference brought together 84 delegations comprising 57 countries, 10 regional organizations and international financial institutions (IFIs), and 17 UN agencies. The conference was attended by H.E. Mr. Hassan Diab, Prime Minister of the Lebanese Republic, at the Prime Minister level. At the Ministerial level, Foreign Ministers or International Cooperation Ministers from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries attended. From the United States, H.E. Mr. James Jeffrey, the Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, and from the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs attended. From international and regional organizations, Mr. Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Geir Pedersen, UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative and Vice President of EU, as well as others attended the conference. (List of the participants (PDF)
)
(2) In the conference, as the Syrian crisis marks 10 year, it was affirmed that there are still enormous needs for the humanitarian assistance, in view of about 9.8 million people are in need of urgent support inside Syria, and over 9 million refugees and vulnerable host communities in the neighboring countries need assistance.
(3) Many countries expressed their concern over the spreading COVID-19 and the worsening of social-economic situation in Syria and its neighboring countries. Based on the fact that the situation surrounding Syrian crisis is becoming more and more complexed and prolonged, many participants pointed out the importance of securing the humanitarian access, as well as of assistance to various areas such as WASH(water/sanitation/health) education, women/gender, livelihood and resilience support.
(4) Many participants stressed the importance of extending the UN Security Council Resolution 2504 which enables cross-border humanitarian assistance, in order to securing the humanitarian access. Besides, they expressed their appreciation and respect for neighboring countries that accept many Syrian refugees, and confirmed the need for continuous support to the host communities.
(5) The importance of a political solution to the Syrian crisis in line with relevant UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2254 was repeatedly pointed out, and many countries renewed their commitment that the international community would continue diplomatic engagement and support toward resolving the Syrian crisis.
(6) Mr. NAKATANI Shinichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, stressed in his video statement that Japan has been continuing to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people in Syria and its neighboring countries since 2012, with its unwavering commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance for all Syrians who are facing difficulties. In addition, he stated that political solution to the Syrian crisis is essential, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Japan's commitment to continue its efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria as a responsible international partner, facing the fact that we can afford no further delay in resolving the Syrian crisis, with COVID-19 rampaging across the world.
)(2) In the conference, as the Syrian crisis marks 10 year, it was affirmed that there are still enormous needs for the humanitarian assistance, in view of about 9.8 million people are in need of urgent support inside Syria, and over 9 million refugees and vulnerable host communities in the neighboring countries need assistance.
(3) Many countries expressed their concern over the spreading COVID-19 and the worsening of social-economic situation in Syria and its neighboring countries. Based on the fact that the situation surrounding Syrian crisis is becoming more and more complexed and prolonged, many participants pointed out the importance of securing the humanitarian access, as well as of assistance to various areas such as WASH(water/sanitation/health) education, women/gender, livelihood and resilience support.
(4) Many participants stressed the importance of extending the UN Security Council Resolution 2504 which enables cross-border humanitarian assistance, in order to securing the humanitarian access. Besides, they expressed their appreciation and respect for neighboring countries that accept many Syrian refugees, and confirmed the need for continuous support to the host communities.
(5) The importance of a political solution to the Syrian crisis in line with relevant UN resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolution 2254 was repeatedly pointed out, and many countries renewed their commitment that the international community would continue diplomatic engagement and support toward resolving the Syrian crisis.
(6) Mr. NAKATANI Shinichi, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, stressed in his video statement that Japan has been continuing to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people in Syria and its neighboring countries since 2012, with its unwavering commitment to delivering humanitarian assistance for all Syrians who are facing difficulties. In addition, he stated that political solution to the Syrian crisis is essential, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Furthermore, he reaffirmed Japan's commitment to continue its efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria as a responsible international partner, facing the fact that we can afford no further delay in resolving the Syrian crisis, with COVID-19 rampaging across the world.