Cordone calls for concrete international support for Syria’s recovery

New York, Oct. 2 (SANA) UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone urged the international community to translate broad political support for Syria into practical assistance and funding to help rebuild its economy and institutions.

Speaking to UN News on Thursday, Cordone said the United Nations will explore with the Syrian government the possibility of an international recovery and reconstruction conference to mobilize financial support.

He said around four million people returned despite difficult economic conditions and damaged infrastructure, underscoring the need to meet the needs of returnees and communities across Syria.

Cordone praised Syria’s role in efforts to eliminate chemical weapons and its success in staying out of regional conflicts.

He warned that Israeli military operations, shelling, abductions and searches threatened stability and deeply affected residents in south Syria. He called for a diplomatic solution respecting Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, Security Council resolutions and international law.

On the political transition, Cordone described the formation of the People’s Assembly as an important step in rebuilding state institutions. He also cited progress in integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into state institutions and supporting Kurdish-language education.

Cordone welcomed the establishment of national bodies for transitional justice and missing persons, investigations into violence in the coastal region and Sweida, and the start of trials.

He stressed that accountability, truth-seeking, reparations and reform were essential to helping Syria overcome the legacy of past abuses and achieve lasting peace.

FJ/HH