STATEMENT
UNHCR Standing Committee: 92nd Session, 11-13 March 2025
Agenda Item 3, VII - Middle East and North Africa
Statement by Norway
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12 March 2025
Thank you, Director, for the report on UNHCRs operations in the Middle East and North Africa.
The fall of the Assad regime and the end of a brutal dictatorship mark a pivotal moment. A peaceful, inclusive, Syria-led and Syria-owned transition process is now possible. New transitional authorities say the right things. At the same time worrying attacks in Western Syria this weekend. Credible investigation and accountability now important. We are not naïve but want to actively contribute to the transition being a success. All non-Assad-specific sanctions must be lifted.
Norway is commending UNHCR for their response to the crises in Syria. Encouraging that hundreds of thousands of people are voluntarily returning to their home-areas in Syria, both IDPs and refugees. We believe UNHCR and the UN-system is key in the response, in close cooperation with other humanitarian organizations, and the new authorities
The conflict in Syria has, during the last fourteen years, produced one of the largest displacement crises in the world. While major donors are cutting aid, the needs are still huge. Important that all operations are streamlined and coordinated in order to make interventions as efficient as possible. We must plan for the government to take over service delivery.
Thank you.