Photo taken on Sept. 30, 2019 shows the United Nations Security Council meeting on Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York. Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, on Monday called on all stakeholders in Syria to take action to build trust and confidence as the first meeting of the Constitutional Committee is approaching. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, on Monday called on all stakeholders in Syria to take action to build trust and confidence as the first meeting of the Constitutional Committee is approaching.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on Syria, Pedersen said that the launch of Constitutional Committee can be "a door opener" to a wider political process that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.
"Seizing this opportunity will not be easy," he said. "Syria remains in the gravest crisis, with violence and terrorism continuing, five international armies operating on its territory, appalling suffering and abuses, a deeply divided society, and a sense of despair among its people inside and outside the country."
"Trust and confidence is almost non-existent," he added.
The Constitutional Committee will really matter if it becomes a step along the difficult path out of this conflict and to a new Syria, and if its launch and work is accompanied by other steps to build trust and confidence among Syrians and between Syria and the international community, he said.
The UN envoy also noted that the Constitutional Committee alone cannot resolve the conflict.
Steps on de-escalation, towards a nationwide ceasefire, are absolutely essential - because the violence and killing must stop, because there is no military solution, he said.
He added that tens of thousands remain detained, abducted and missing, millions remain displaced inside and outside Syria, and millions live in poverty, facing widespread commodity shortages and an economy that lies in tatters.
"As we look towards the first meeting of the Committee, I urge all stakeholders -- the Syrian parties and their backers -- to think more broadly, more inclusively and with the ultimate objective of a country at peace," he said.
Pedersen appealed for them to "seize upon the momentum that the Committee offers and take concrete actions, to build trust and confidence."
The formation of the Constitutional Committee was officially announced by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last Monday.
Under an intra-Syrian agreement reached in Sochi of Russia in January 2018, the Constitutional Committee is to be composed of representatives of the Syrian government, the opposition and civil society representatives, each with 50 members.
The Constitutional Committee is considered to be a key element in the Syrian political process.
Geir Pedersen, UN special envoy for Syria, speaks to journalists following a Security Council meeting on Syria, at the UN headquarters in New York, Sept. 30, 2019. Geir Pedersen on Monday called on all stakeholders in Syria to take action to build trust and confidence as the first meeting of the Constitutional Committee is approaching. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
