UN General Assembly president urges Security Council to prioritize needs of affected population

WASHINGTON

UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi on Wednesday said the lives of those in need "should never be reduced to the tactics of geopolitical games," after Russia used its veto power to halt vital cross-border aid last week into northern Syria.

"Humanitarian action must always be guided by the principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. As such, effective humanitarian assistance can never be held hostage by any political interest,” Csaba said as UN member states gathered to debate the Russian veto.

Urging the members of the Security Council to "prioritize the needs of the affected population," Korosi called on the UN body to be "alive to the realities and oriented towards genuine solutions; to urgently prioritize long-term cooperation over division; and the humanitarian imperative over brinksmanship."

“Together, we have the power to make a meaningful difference. The people of Syria are counting on us to deliver,” he added.

Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution last week seeking to extend cross-border aid delivery for nine months from Türkiye through a gate into northern Syria.

Thirteen other Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution drafted by Switzerland and Brazil. China abstained, but as Russia is a permanent Council member, its veto prevailed.

The long-running aid operation, which has been in place since 2014 and allowed the delivery of aid to 4 million people in Syria through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing, expired on July 10.

Resolutions need nine votes to get through the Council and no veto by permanent members: Russia, China, France, US and UK.