🇸🇾 Syria - Minister for Foreign Affairs Addresses UN General Debate, 77th Session (English) | #UNGA

Summary

The Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs addresses the UN General Assembly, condemning international conflicts and the rise of terrorism, which he attributes to hegemonic attempts and the exploitation of resources. He criticizes the use of 'smart sanctions' as collective punishment and highlights the Syrian people's resilience against a decade of war and foreign interference. The Minister calls for a multipolar world order under the UN Charter, denounces Israeli aggression against Palestine, and emphasizes the need for international cooperation to combat terrorism while respecting state sovereignty.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ The Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasizes the critical and dangerous state of international relations, marked by conflicts, wars, and threats to peace and security.
• 🌍 The script highlights the global challenges of terrorism, chaos, and climate change, affecting the economy and food security, as a result of hegemonic attempts by some countries.
• 🏹 The Syrian government views the war against Syria as an attempt by the West to maintain global control, which has failed but caused significant pain to the Syrian people.
• 🛡️ The Minister condemns the use of 'smart sanctions' as a form of collective punishment against nations resisting foreign agendas.
• 🇸🇾 The Syrian government supports the Palestinian cause for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and the right of refugees to return under international law.
• 🚨 The script denounces Israeli practices in the Palestinian territories, including settlements and aggression, as crimes that should be held accountable.
• 💣 The Syrian government accuses Israel of supporting terrorist organizations and repeatedly targeting civilian installations, undermining regional peace and security.
• 🏳️ The Syrian state has called for national reconciliation and amnesty for certain terrorist crimes, excluding those leading to deaths, to promote unity and stability.
• 🗳️ Syria held democratic elections for local councils, demonstrating popular participation and support for democracy and decentralization.
• 🤝 The Syrian government supports international efforts for peace, such as the Astana agreement and the Tehran Summit, while condemning unilateral actions by Turkey.
• 💔 The script outlines the severe humanitarian and economic crisis in Syria, caused by terrorism and unilateral coercive measures, with direct and indirect losses in the oil and gas sectors estimated at 107 billion USD.

Q & A

What is the current critical situation in international relations as described by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic?

The Minister described a critical and dangerous point in international relations characterized by conflicts, wars, threats to international peace and security, the rise of terrorism, chaos, and challenges to the global economy and food security.

What accusations does the Minister make against some countries regarding their actions in international affairs?

The Minister accuses some countries of attempting to impose their hegemony, hoarding resources and wealth, and implementing rigid agendas, including by investing in terrorism, imposing lethal weapons, and disregarding international law.

How does the Minister describe the impact of 'smart sanctions' on the Syrian people?

The Minister views 'smart sanctions' as methods for collective punishment and killing against people supporting their homeland, particularly by undermining access to medication, food, fuel, and basic goods.

What is the Minister's stance on the war against Syria and its implications for the Syrian people?

The Minister asserts that the war against Syria was an attempt by the West to maintain control over the world and has resulted in organized terrorism, illegal military interference, and economic siege, causing immense suffering for the Syrian people.

What does the Minister demand in terms of accountability for Israeli practices in the region?

The Minister calls for accountability for Israeli crimes, including massacres, military aggression against Palestinian territories, and settlement policies, and demands that those responsible be held accountable.

What is the Syrian government's position on the Israeli occupation of the Golan Heights?

The Syrian government maintains that the occupation of the Golan Heights by Israel is illegal and insists on its right to recover the entire territory up to the 1967 border, as guaranteed by international law and UN resolutions.

What measures has the Syrian government taken to promote national reconciliation and social cohesion?

The Syrian government has issued 21 amnesty decrees, including one by President Bashar al-Assad for terrorist crimes committed by Syrians, excluding those leading to deaths, as part of efforts to ensure national reconciliation and social agreement.

How does the Minister describe the impact of the crisis on Syria's status before 2011?

The Minister notes that before the crisis, Syria was one of the safest, most prosperous, and stable countries in the world, self-sufficient, and able to meet the needs of its people in various areas such as education, health, and public services.

What is the Syrian government's position on the Russian military operation in Ukraine?

The Syrian government supports Russia's right to defend itself and secure its national territory, viewing the Russian Federation as defending justice and the rights of humanity against unipolar hegemony.

What are the Minister's views on the role of the special Envoy for Syria in facilitating inter-Syrian dialogue?

The Minister believes the special Envoy should play a facilitative role in the inter-Syrian dialogue process, ensuring Syrian ownership and adherence to the mandate in accordance with the UN Charter.

What is the Syrian government's stance on unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western states?

The Syrian government condemns unilateral coercive measures, or economic sanctions, imposed by Western states, considering them a form of economic terrorism with brutal and inhumane consequences on the Syrian people.

Outlines

00:00

🌍 International Relations and Conflicts

The speaker, representing the Syrian Arab Republic, addresses the General Assembly, acknowledging the critical state of international relations marked by conflicts, wars, and threats to peace and security. They criticize certain countries for imposing hegemony, hoarding resources, and supporting terrorism, which has led to the destruction of states and loss of innocent lives. The speaker emphasizes the need for a multi-polar world order under the UN Charter, and highlights the Syrian people's struggle against terrorism and economic sanctions, which they view as collective punishment.

05:00

🏭 Israeli Aggression and Palestinian Support

The paragraph discusses the escalating military aggression against Palestinian territories, including civilian attacks, settlement policies, and racial discrimination. The speaker condemns these actions as crimes and calls for accountability. They express solidarity with the Palestinian people in their fight for an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and the right of return for refugees. The speaker also addresses Israel's occupation of the Syrian Golan, accusing Israel of human rights violations, supporting terrorist organizations, and plundering natural resources. They assert Syria's right to defend its land and people and call for an end to Israel's occupation.

10:00

🕊️ National Reconciliation and Syrian Stability

The speaker outlines Syria's efforts towards national reconciliation and stability, emphasizing the importance of amnesty decrees and the return to normalcy. They mention the successful conduct of democratic elections for local councils, reflecting popular support for democracy. The paragraph also touches on Syria's support for political processes, including the Astana agreement and the Tehran Summit, and the work of the Constitutional Committee. The speaker calls for respect for Syria's territorial integrity and an end to separatist plans supported by terrorist groups.

15:01

💔 The Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Plundering

This paragraph addresses the severe humanitarian crisis in Syria, caused primarily by terrorism and unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western states. The speaker provides an estimate of the economic losses in Syria's oil and gas sectors due to these measures. They discuss Syria's efforts to manage the humanitarian situation, rebuild infrastructure, and facilitate the return of refugees, while also calling for an end to economic sanctions and support for development. The speaker reiterates Syria's stance on various international issues, including support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine, Iran's nuclear agreement, and China's stance on foreign interference.

20:03

🌐 Global Challenges and the Path Forward

In the final paragraph, the speaker reflects on the global challenges faced in recent years, including political, economic, health, and climate issues, and the current international tensions. They stress the importance of collective action to meet these challenges and respond to the aspirations of people worldwide. The speaker calls for an end to economic terrorism and respect for the sovereignty of nations, in line with international law and the UN Charter. They conclude by emphasizing the need for understanding and cooperation among nations to ensure a peaceful and secure world.

Keywords

💡International Relations

International relations refer to the study of interactions between nations, including diplomacy, trade, and conflicts. In the video's context, it highlights the critical and dangerous point in international relations characterized by conflicts, wars, and threats to international peace and security, indicating a time of global tension and potential instability.

💡Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims. The script discusses the spread of terrorism as a global issue, with some countries accused of supporting terrorists under the guise of promoting democracy and human rights, which has led to the destruction of states and loss of innocent lives.

💡Sanctions

Sanctions are measures imposed on a country to make it comply with international law or standards, often resulting in economic hardship. The video criticizes 'smart sanctions' as a method of collective punishment, illustrating their impact on the Syrian people by limiting access to basic goods and services, which goes against the principles of sovereignty and self-determination.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the full right and power to govern oneself without any interference from outside sources. The script emphasizes the importance of national sovereignty, particularly in the context of Syria, where external interference and sanctions have had severe consequences on the country's ability to govern and provide for its people.

💡Multi-polar World Order

A multi-polar world order is a distribution of power in which more than two nation-states have nearly equal amounts of military, cultural, and economic influence. The video calls for the establishment of such an order under the auspices of the UN Charter, suggesting a move away from hegemony and towards a more balanced and cooperative global community.

💡Israeli Practices

The term 'Israeli practices' in the script refers to the actions and policies of Israel towards Palestine and the occupied territories, which are described as crimes and violations of international law. The speaker condemns these practices, including settlement expansion, aggression against civilians, and the denial of Palestinian rights, calling for accountability and justice.

💡Unilateral Coercive Measures

Unilateral coercive measures, often referred to as sanctions, are imposed by one country on another without the backing of a multilateral body. The script describes these measures as 'economic terrorism,' highlighting their devastating effects on the Syrian economy and people, and calling for their removal as part of a broader call for respect for international law and state sovereignty.

💡Humanitarian Crisis

A humanitarian crisis is a situation that exists when people's basic human rights have been violated, often on a large scale, such as in the case of war or disaster. The video discusses the humanitarian crisis in Syria caused by terrorism and unilateral measures, emphasizing the need for international support for rebuilding and the return of refugees.

💡Amnesty

Amnesty is a general pardon granted to a group or class of offenders from punishment. The script mentions 21 amnesty decrees issued by the Syrian government, including one for terrorist crimes committed by Syrians, as part of efforts towards national reconciliation and social agreement, illustrating the government's approach to healing and moving forward from the conflict.

💡Democratic Elections

Democratic elections are a process that allows citizens to choose their government. The video mentions recent democratic elections for local councils in Syria with a high number of candidates and participation, demonstrating the country's commitment to democratic processes and decentralization despite the ongoing conflict.

💡Economic Terrorism

Economic terrorism refers to the use of economic measures to inflict harm or exert pressure on a country or group, similar to the effects of armed conflict. The script uses this term to describe the impact of unilateral sanctions and coercive measures, equating them to armed terrorism in their brutal nature and inhumane consequences.

Highlights

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic addresses the General Assembly, emphasizing the critical state of international relations.

The Minister criticizes attempts by some countries to impose hegemony and hoard resources, contributing to global instability.

The Syrian perspective on the role of Western states in supporting terrorism and undermining international law is presented.

The Minister discusses the impact of sanctions on Syria, describing them as collective punishment against the Syrian people.

Syria's experience with war and the failure of Western attempts to break its will is highlighted.

The Minister calls for a multi-polar world order under the auspices of the UN Charter to ensure a better future.

The ongoing Israeli practices in the region, including aggression against Palestinian territories, are condemned.

The Syrian stance on supporting the Palestinian people's fight for freedom and the establishment of an independent state is expressed.

The Minister details the systematic violations of human rights and international law by Israel in the occupied Syrian Golan.

Syria's commitment to defending its land and people against Israeli aggression is stated.

The Syrian government's efforts towards national reconciliation and amnesty for those involved in terrorism are outlined.

The importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the fight against terrorism is emphasized.

The Syrian government's support for political processes and initiatives under the Astana agreement is reiterated.

The Minister discusses the humanitarian crisis in Syria, caused by terrorism and unilateral coercive measures.

Syria's stance on the Russian military operation in Ukraine and the right of Russia to defend itself is presented.

The call for an end to unilateral coercive measures imposed by Western states on various countries, including Syria, is made.

The Minister concludes by emphasizing the need for mutual respect and adherence to international law for global stability and prosperity.

Transcripts

I now invite and give the floor to his

Excellency

Minister of Foreign Affairs and

expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic

[Music]

foreign

assembly I congratulate you on your

election to preside over the current

session of the general assembly

I thank your predecessor Mr Abdullah

said for his presidency in over the past

session I would also like to thank the

Secretary General for his efforts

during his mandate

in accordance with the provisions of the

UN Charter Mr President

today we find ourselves at a critical

dangerous point in international

relations conflicts Wars and threats to

International Peace and security around

the rise terrorism and Chaos have been

spreading

the global economy and food security are

under threat climate change has

increased this is the result

of attempts by some countries to impose

their hegemony over other countries to

hoard the resources and wealth and to

implement their straight jacketed

agendas by investing in terrorism and by

imposing

lethal weapons and

putting a stronghold on

economies

completely floating international law

there has been occupation there have

been Wars

and this the excuse has been to spread

democracy and support human rights and

yet other states have been destroyed

Innocents have been killed

what has happened in our region is just

about one example

the terrorists these people support call

these people the moderates who are

seeking freedom

and yet these terrorists

were actually tools used to destroy

other countries

and which are not subject to their

agendas

they have called for smart sanctions

knowing that these sanctions are simply

methods for Collective punishment and

for killings against people

who are supporting their own Homeland

calling for sovereignty this is what's

happened in Syria by undermining

access to medication to food to fuel

to basic Goods the Syrian people as I

say are just one example ladies and

gentlemen

we see this very unfortunate situation

and yet we must take a decision we must

be responsible at this critical turning

point in history so that we can ensure a

better future for ourselves but also for

future generations and to set up a

multi-polar world order where everyone

is working under the auspices of the U.N

Charter supporting its purposes and

principles

in this appeal

we know what we're speaking about

because the war against Syria

ultimately

was an attempt by the West to maintain

control over the world but this war

which aimed at breaking the will of

Syria to isolate it from the world has

failed

and yet this experience has been painful

for the Syrian people for more than 10

years the Syrian people have seen

organized terrorism

supported by government everyone is

familiar with there's been illegal

military interference and we have

economically been besieged and

unilateral coercive measures have been

taken ruthless measures Mr President

we hoped to see peace and stability in

our region but on the contrary we've

seen more Israeli practices which has

have pushed the region to an

unprecedented level of tension and

instability there have been massacres

there have been there's been an

escalation of military aggression

against the Palestinian territory and

against civilians and there have been

settlement policies Judaism policies

besiegements arbitrary attentions Force

displacement and racial discrimination

these Israeli practices are crimes

and it is unacceptable for these crimes

to go unanswered and those who are

responsible should be held accountable

we stand by the brotherly Palestinian

people as they fight to free their

occupied territories and to establish

their Sovereign independent state

throughout their territory with

Jerusalem as capital but also to

guarantee the right of Palestinian

refugees to return home

under international law and general

assembly resolutions we also support the

Palestinian approach to become a

full-fledged member in the United

Nations this is something we have looked

forward to for a long time and we hope

that some members of the security

Council will not undermine these efforts

Mr President

since the occupation of the Syrian

golden in 67 and until today Israel has

exerted the worst serious systematic

violations of

human rights and international

humanitarian law including by

settlements by changing the demographic

composition by imposing Israeli

nationality and ownership documents by

force over the Golden population there's

also been the plundering of Natural

Resources in the golden where Israel has

a buried nuclear waste and where Israel

has taken over land to set up a wind

farms all of this is well documented

Israel has added a new chapter to this

dark chapter by supporting terrorist

organizations including the al-nusra

front and the al-Qaeda and dayesh groups

but also through repeated aggressions

against the Syrian territory yes Israel

has supported daesh and the al-nusra

front Israel has targeted civilian

installations repeatedly in

methodologically include including

civilian ports this undermines the peace

and Security in the region and in the

world and it endangers the lives of

civilians but also the safety of civil

aviation in the region and in the world

the Israeli leaders who have committed

were

war crimes and crimes against humanity

do not have the right

to declare

uh that they question these civilian and

humanitarian rights in international

courts continuing to support and to say

nothing about Israeli practices

and those who claim to be the Guardians

of international humanitarian law and

international human rights law have been

accomplices in these crimes and they

show the double standards applied Syria

will exercise its legitimate right to

defend its land and its people in every

possible way so that the authorities of

the Israeli occupation are held

accountable for their crimes the Syrian

occupied Syrian Golan is in the heart of

every Syrian our right to recover the

entire golden territory up to the 67

border is an undying right

it is guaranteed in accordance with

international law and relevant U.N

resolutions

including security Council resolution

487 of 1981 ladies and gentlemen

illegal military presence on Syrian

territory runs counter to international

law on the U.N Charter this presence

must cease immediately

combating terrorism in all its

manifestations and

ultimately uprooting terrorism can only

take place

through cooperation and coordination

with the Syrian State

respecting its sovereignty its

independence its territorial integrity

and unity we cannot combat terrorism

through International illegal coalitions

which violate the sovereignty of states

which destroys Villages and cities which

carries out massacres against civilians

which

Planters national law or national wealth

and supports terrorists we cannot combat

terrorism by occupying other territories

and applying

forced displacement and change in the

demographics nor setting up so-called

safe zones and working with terrorists

or by collectively punishing people by

cutting water off to civilians

the separatist uh militants who still

cherish these ideals

must be aware of the reality and they

must abstain from accounting on foreign

support

those who do not work with their

Homeland have no Homeland Mr President

ladies and gentlemen

since the 2011 crisis the Syrian state

has called for national and local

reconciliation calling for a return to

normal throughout Syria in order to

promote National unity and consolidate

cohesiveness in the Syrian Society in

this way

21 amnesty decrees have been published

particularly the legislative decree

number seven of 2022 decreed by

President bajal Assad president of the

Syrian Arab Republic

an amnesty for terrorist crimes

committed

by syrians

with the exception of crimes

which have led to deaths

this amnesty is particularly important

because of its legal political and

social nature

it is

an effort by the Syrian state to ensure

National reconciliation to have a social

agreement and to ensure lasting

stability syrians will continue their

efforts through this approach

it has been effective on the ground and

it has enabled the return of many

syrians

to a normal life alongside all other

syrians

despite these difficult circumstances

which Syria has known my country has

honored constitutional deadlines a few

days ago and before coming to New York

we held Democratic elections for local

councils with 59

000 candidates

which shows and reflects

yeah

a great popular participation and

support for democracy and

decentralization in every region and

governage in every city and town Mr

President Syria has welcomed efforts and

initiatives under the political process

and in this regard Syria reiterates its

support for the meetings which are being

held

under the Astana agreement we also

welcome the results

of the Tehran Summit held on the 19th of

July 2022 and during that Summit

we declared the attachment the

commitment to Serious territorial

integrity and the rejection of

separatist plans supported by terrorist

groups however all of this will remain

dead letter if Turkey continues not to

respect these results

and even the results of the Astana

agreement moreover

Syria's following with interest the work

being done by the Constitutional

committee which was set up

through National the Sochi National

dialogue in 2018.

the special Envoy for Syria must play

the role as a facilitator for

inter-syrian dialogue in this process

with Syrian ownership and in accordance

with the Mandate Mr President ladies and

gentlemen surely you know that before

the terrorist War which was carried out

against Syrian 2011 Syria was one of the

safest most prosperous and stableest

countries in the world we were

self-sufficient and we could meet the

needs of our people exceptionally in the

region be it in the area of Education

Health public services but this unique

War has changed the stakes we have seen

an unbearable humanitarian crisis and

today what was the cause of all of that

the answer is quite clear now the

primary cause is Terrorism and then

unilateral coerciveness measures imposed

by Western States and the plundering of

the wealth of the Syrian people one

example is that according to estimates

the direct and indirect losses

in the oil sector gas sector in Syria

since 2011 reaches

up to 2022.

has reached 107 billion American dollars

let me repeat that 107 billion American

dollars we are seeking compensation for

those damages

in this world

we must have a world of peace and

security and not a world for Monsters or

of Monsters the Syrian States Mr

President is doing everything possible

to manage the humanitarian situation on

the ground to rebuild what terrorism has

destroyed and to ensure the return of

Syrian refugees and we offer facilities

to support a humanitarian Aid provision

to the by the United Nations as quickly

as possible in accordance with Security

Council resolution 2642.

we estimate despite all of our

reservations that the these resolutions

may be an additional step towards

improving the humanitarian situation in

Syria and to bolster the access to basic

Services however this will depend on the

implementation by western states of the

provisions of the resolution in

particular

increasing humanitarian Aid and a quick

reaction projects for water for

sanitation for housing

education with the previous resolution

to 25 85 the implementation of these

projects can only happen if the western

states continue to

wish to support

development in Syria and not if they

continue to set up hindrances and

obstacles

including through unilateral coercive

measures or so-called economic sanctions

Mr President Syria reiterates its

position on the special Russian military

operation in Ukraine and the right of

Russia to defend itself and to secure

its national territory we are convinced

that

that

the Russian Federation is defending not

only itself but uh justice and the

rights of humanity the rights of

everyone to reject uh unipolar hegemony

we support the the

return to the nuclear agreement for Iran

which the United States illegally

withdrew from unilaterally we also

support the constructive approach

adopted by

Iran on this matter

and we call upon the Western authorities

to satisfy satisfy the legitimate

requests of Iran we continue to support

the principle of the United China and

support China's position with regard to

foreign interference in its domestic

affairs in Taiwan Hong Kong Hong Kong

we insist on the inalienable right of

China to take necessary measures to

defend its sovereignty in particular

with regard to the unprecedented

escalation and the policy of provocation

carried out by the United States of

America

my country condemns the Embargo against

Cuba which has gone on for decades

including

the bill on a trade with the Enemy I

don't know whether or not the Cuban or

the Syrian people or the Russian people

I don't know why that law was

promulgated

but we also call for an end to the

American Military Maneuvers on the Quran

Peninsula which has exacerbated tensions

we also call for a lifting of all

unilateral coercive measures imposed by

the West on Russia Iran Venezuela

Belarus Nicaragua

the gprk Zimbabwe every tray everywhere

in the world

including my country Syria this is

economic terrorism and in its brutal

nature

it is equal to Armed terrorism either

legally or in terms of the inhumane

consequences on our people we call for

an end to the attempts to become

involved in the internal affairs of

these countries and to respect their

sovereignty in accordance with

international law and the U.N Charter Mr

President in conclusion our world has

known exceptional circumstances in the

past few years

there have been considerable challenges

in terms of politics economics Health

climate change as well today we are

seeing tensions and an escalation

internationally of those tensions and

threats

the world is headed into the unknown

if we do not meet these challenges

together if we do not respond to the

aspirations of our people and if we

cannot ensure security and stability

prosperity and sustainable development

everywhere the purpose of leaving no one

behind should not be an empty slogan we

are convinced that in order to meet all

of these goals we must ensure first that

some Western States understand that the

true great powers are not powerful

because of their military but because

they respect International Charters and

because Humanity prevails over

selfishness over colonization and once

these countries have truly understood

that we are living in the same world

where the interests and securities of

all countries depend on the interests of

other countries thank you

I thank the Minister of Foreign Affairs

and expatriates of the Syrian Arab

Republic

and now I give the full