EU Statement on the assessment of the situation in the Syrian Arab Republic in connection with UNESCO’s mandate - 222nd Executive Board, UNESCO

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union, and the candidate countries Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of Türkiye, Ukraine, and Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.

The European Union welcomes UNESCO’s assessment of the situation in Syria and the Action Plan.

The EU is committed to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, Syria-led and Syria-owned transition to help build a path towards stabilisation and reconstruction.

All Syrians without distinction should have the chance to finally stabilise and rebuild their country, restore justice and ensure accountability, turning a new page in the history of Syria. An inclusive transition must include prioritising social cohesion, which means ensuring the respect of the human rights of all Syrians without distinction and regardless of ethnic or religious background.

The EU fully supports the improvement of the education sector, the safeguarding and rehabilitation of Syria’s rich cultural heritage and creative industries, the advancement of free and independent media, and the promotion of gender equality. We equally support the participation of the youth, returning refugees and the Syrian diaspora as key pillars of a just society.

The international community can and should make a significant contribution to support Syria’s transition and socio-economic recovery. In this historic moment, we underline UNESCO’s important role to act in coordination with the wider UN system.