The Syrian Future Movement commemorates the United Nations-designated International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in the Event of War and Armed Conflict, observed annually on November 6th. This day serves to remind the international community of the importance of protecting natural resources and the environment during times of conflict, and their direct impact on the stability of societies and the lives of citizens.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that protecting the environment during armed conflicts is essential for preserving human life, ensuring food and water security, and guaranteeing the social and economic stability of nations, including Syria, which is currently undergoing a delicate transitional phase that necessitates upholding the values of law, responsibility, and sustainability.
The Syrian Future Movement calls upon international, regional, and local actors to:
- Adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits the illegal exploitation of natural resources during armed conflicts.
- Strengthen preventive efforts to protect water, forests, soil, and vital areas from destruction and illicit exploitation.
- Integrate environmental protection standards into reconstruction and sustainable development plans in Syria to ensure the country’s transition to a more stable and sustainable phase.
- Raise awareness within civil society about the importance of environmental protection and the impact of conflicts on the lives of future generations.
The Syrian Future Movement affirms that protecting the environment during conflicts is an integral part of the responsibilities of the state and civil society in building modern Syria, preserving basic human rights, and achieving sustainable peace and stability. This is what we have emphasized in the movement’s papers published on our official website, especially the paper entitled “The Syrian Future Movement and the Environment.”