One-Year Anniversary of UNSCR 2664 (U.S. and Ireland)
One year ago, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2664, and took a historic and groundbreaking step toward ensuring the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance, while implementing targeted sanctions designed to maintain or restore international peace and security. The United States and Ireland were proud to co-pen this Resolution, which created a carveout across UN sanctions regimes to facilitate humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs. The adoption of this Resolution sent a clear message: UN sanctions should not impede the delivery of critical humanitarian assistance by certain humanitarian organizations. The Resolution should diminish any unintended effects of sanctions, without undercutting the effectiveness of sanctions, including through ensuring aid is not diverted or abused by malicious actors.
Over the past year, we have heard that the Resolution has provided much-needed clarity to the international community, humanitarian assistance providers, and key commercial service providers, which is helping to facilitate the delivery of assistance that is critical to saving lives around the world. This goal is more important than ever as the world faces unprecedented levels of humanitarian need, with some 339 million people in need of humanitarian aid and nearly 50 million people on the verge of famine. By adopting this Resolution, the Security Council answered decades of advocacy by the humanitarian community. The international community must continue to help humanitarian organizations to reach those in need, regardless of where they live.
This Resolution fundamentally reforms targeted UN sanctions, and its implementation by Member States is key to its success. The United States and Ireland call on Member States and regional organizations to continue efforts to implement both the letter and the spirit of UNSCR 2664 into their legal systems.
The past year has shown that this Resolution can save lives. It has strengthened the ability of the humanitarian community to respond to crises and assist those living in the midst of conflict and humanitarian emergencies. We look forward to seeing how much more the Resolution and we as Member States can do to further facilitate the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance in the years to come.