The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Syria constitutional talks reconvene after COVID-19 suspension
UN-facilitated talks to discuss a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution for war-torn Syria reconvened at UN Geneva on Thursday after being suspended three days earlier when four participants tested positive for COVID-19.
Speaking to journalists, UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, stressed the desire among participants to continue with the work of the Third Session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee, after a nine-month break.
He envisaged this happening into Saturday “with all necessary precautionary strict measures strictly observed”.
The UN negotiator also explained that those individuals who had tested positive for the new coronavirus would not be taking part in proceedings “out of an abundance of caution”, even though secondary testing had shown that they no longer posed any risk.
“We have a clear agenda for this session and the Small Body had a constructive first meeting on the agenda when they met on Monday,” Mr. Pedersen said, highlighting that these had resulted in “useful points” being raised and some good “interactions”.
“Key international players” following the Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process had also expressed their keen interest in the discussions resuming, Mr. Pedersen continued.
In an earlier Press conference ahead of the latest discussions, he noted his intention to meet representatives from Russia, Iran and Turkey and the United States in Geneva, while stressing the “completely independent” work of the Constitutional Committee.
The convening on Monday of the Small Group of the Syrian Constitutional Committee brings together 15 representatives from Syria’s Government, 15 from the Syrian Negotiations Commission (SNC) and 15 more civil society participants, known as the “middle third”.
A larger group of 150 delegates is also part of the process, but only the smaller group is meeting in Geneva.
Both bodies are meeting on the basis of an agreement between the Government of Syria and the opposition to implement a key part of Security Council resolution 2254 (from 2015), which called for setting a schedule and process for drafting a new constitution.
The latest round of discussions represents the first time that delegates have met after a hiatus of nine months, caused by differences over the agenda which were resolved by March – and then by COVID restrictions.
- Wide shot: exterior, flag alley, Palais des Nations, United Nations Geneva.
- Medium-wide shot, showing a seated and masked UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, sitting at the podium in Press Room III, UN Geneva, with spokesperson Jenifer Fenton seated apart from him. Photographers take pictures of the Special Envoy.
- SOUNDBITE (EN) - UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen: “Thank you so much Jenifer and thanks to all of you for your understanding. Obviously, the safety for all of us here in the Palais has been our major concern and our top priority. That is why we took no chances and immediately suspended the meeting on the Constitutional Committee of the Small Body on Monday. I’m extremely grateful for the professionalism of the medical advice and the support that we are receiving from the Swiss authorities and from the United Nations Office in Geneva and its medical services. In light of that advice, we are resuming, today, the Third Session of the Constitutional Committee Small Body, with all necessary precautionary strict measures strictly observed, as they were observed in the initial meeting. And thank you for your support, from your side, in observing those strict measures as well. I should add that, while the secondary testing done in recent days indicates that the earlier positive cases do not pose any risk, we are at this stage proceeding here in the Palais des Nations only with those who have tested negative. This is out of an abundance of caution and based on the advice of the United Nations medical authorities. I thank the two co-chairs and indeed the Constitutional Committee Small Body members for their cooperation during this temporary, but necessary, delay, while we addressed the immediate health issues. I equally appreciate their strong desire to resume the work of the Constitutional Committee and I think that is a signal of the importance of this process. I have also received a strong signal of support from key international players for the United Nations’ facilitation of this Syrian-led and Syrian-owned process, and this is indeed very much appreciated. We have a clear agenda for this session and the Small Body had a constructive first meeting on the agenda when they met on Monday. There were some useful points raised and some good interactions. I believe all members are keen to resume the work and have substantive discussions during the remainder of this session. And so, with full safety precautions in place, after extensive medical advice, we are getting back to work now, today, actually in five minutes. And after consultations with the two co-chairs just now, I believe we most probably will be doing sessions today, tomorrow and on Saturday. I hope to get back to you soon when these things are finalised. But as I said, thank you for your cooperation and I hope to talk to you soon.”
- Medium shot: journalist wearing facemask, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist wearing facemask, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist with facemask pulled down, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium shot: journalist with facemask hanging from one ear, seated, works on laptop, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
- Medium-wide shot: journalists wearing facemasks, seated apart from each other, working on laptops, Press Room III, UN Geneva.
Similar Stories
1
1
Edited News | UNMAS
The deadly legacy of conflicts old and new from Gaza to Sudan and beyond continues to kill and maim civilians on a near-daily basis, mine action workers said on Wednesday, as they appealed for greater support for their lifesaving work in a context of deep funding cuts.
1
1
1
Edited News | WMO , UNICEF
Asia: Lives upended in cyclone disasters, ‘extreme’ rainfall on the rise - UN agencies
Across southeast Asia, record-breaking rains and flooding caused by back-to-back tropical storms have claimed hundreds of lives and brought devastation and displacement upon entire communities, UN agencies said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in the Geneva on Friday the UN Human Rights Office raised grave concerns about the recent constitutional amendments adopted in Pakistan.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, UN Human Rights Spokesperson made the following comment on the most recent killings in the occupied West Bank yesterday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in the Geneva on Friday the UN Human Rights Office raised concerns about the military-controlled election in Myanmar, which starts next month and will be conducted in an atmosphere rife with threats and violence putting the lives of civilians at risk.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | UNAIDS
World AIDS Day 2025: Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response
1
1
1
Edited News | UN WOMEN
Gaza women are ‘last line of protection’ for their families amid attacks, hunger and harsh winter – UN Women
Women in Gaza are ensuring their families’ survival “with nothing but courage and exhausted hands” while violence continues and essentials remain in short supply, the UN’s gender equality agency warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Since the ceasefire began on 27 November 2024, Israeli military strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 127 civilians. Nearly a year later, these attacks continue to increase, causing civilian deaths and damage to civilian structures.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | UNCTAD
A new report by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that the prolonged military operation and long-standing restrictions have driven the economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory into its most severe contraction on record, wiping out decades of development gains and deepening fiscal and social fragility.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , WFP
Ongoing attacks and airstrikes attributed to Israeli forces in Gaza continue to kill and maim people of all ages in the shattered enclave despite an agreed ceasefire, UN agencies said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , OCHA
Gaza: After Security Council vote humanitarians urge aid scale-up as winter rains hit families hard
Following the UN Security Council’s Monday endorsement of a US peace plan for Gaza, UN humanitarians urged prioritizing aid access under the scheme as severe rains and flooding deepened Palestinian suffering.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNHCR , UNMAS , WHO
Just how many people are still trapped in the Sudanese city of El Fasher?
That’s the burning question for relatives of the many thousands of people believed to still be there, since paramilitary fighters overran the regional capital of North Darfur last month, after a 500-day siege.