UN Security Council's virtual meeting on Syria situation. — VNA/VNS Photo Hữu Thanh

NEW YORK — Ambassador Đặng Đình Quý, head of Việt Nam’s permanent mission to the UN, has highlighted the importance of the international community’s assistance to Syria to speed up the political process and improve the humanitarian situation.

Addressing the UN Security Council’s monthly briefing on the political situation in Syria on Wednesday (US time), Quý expressed his concern over difficulties facing Syrian people due to social instability, economic crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ambassador called on parties involved to promote dialogue to gain a long-term political solution and put the interests of the Syrian people first.

He acknowledged progress in negotiations of the Syrian Constitutional Committee in late 2020, adding this is an opportunity to reach a breakthrough in talks to amend the Constitution and in the country's political process.

At the briefing, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Geir Pedersen said the fourth negotiation round of the Constitutional Committee took place in Geneva from November 30 to December 1, during which the Government, opposition and socio-political associations discussed the foundation and principles of the nation with the bridging role of the UN.

Major differences remain, but the parties involved showed a willingness to negotiate several substantial issues to seek common ground.

Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said that the number of reported COVID-19 cases in Syria continued to rise, with the number of infections in schools – which are often overcrowded and suffer poor or damaged infrastructure – more than tripling in November.

“The market price of a standard reference food basket is higher than at any point,” since the World Food Programme (WFP) began price monitoring in 2013, he said, noting that more than 80 per cent of displaced families across Syria said their income does not cover their needs.

He also added that 34 per cent of all children in the country suffer from stunting. — VNS