Draft:New Zealand–Syria relations

New Zealand and Syria do not have formal diplomatic relations, and there is no publicly documented date marking the establishment of such ties. However, Syria maintains an honorary consulate in Auckland, indicating a limited form of diplomatic representation .

New Zealand's relationship with Syria is characterized by humanitarian engagement, multilateral diplomacy, and a firm stance on human rights and international law. While there is no formal diplomatic presence in Syria, New Zealand has actively contributed to international efforts addressing the Syrian conflict and its humanitarian consequences.

Historically, interactions between New Zealand and Syria have been minimal. During World War II, New Zealand military forces were stationed in Syria as part of Allied operations . In more recent times, New Zealand's involvement has primarily focused on humanitarian assistance and participation in international efforts addressing the Syrian conflict.

For instance, in November 2014, New Zealand established a special emergency quota to offer sanctuary to Syrian refugees, supplementing its annual Refugee Quota Programme . Additionally, New Zealand has provided humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees through various NGOs .

While there is no formal diplomatic relationship, New Zealand continues to engage with issues related to Syria through humanitarian support and participation in international forums.

Humanitarian Assistance and Refugee Support New Zealand has provided substantial humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering caused by the Syrian conflict. In 2013, the government allocated nearly NZD $800,000 to assist Syrian refugees, with funds distributed through New Zealand-based NGOs such as UNICEF, World Vision, and Save the Children. This initiative aimed to support over 200,000 refugees in Lebanon and Jordan . The Beehive

Following the devastating 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, New Zealand pledged NZD $4.5 million in humanitarian aid. This included contributions to the World Food Programme and UNICEF, as well as support for the Turkish and Syrian Red Crescent societies . Wikipedia +1 New Zealand Parliament +1 New Zealand Parliament +1 Wikipedia +1

Advocacy at the United Nations During its tenure on the UN Security Council (2015–2016), New Zealand prioritized the Syrian crisis. In September 2016, then-Prime Minister John Key convened a high-level meeting to address the ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need for humanitarian access and the protection of civilians . MFAT

New Zealand also collaborated with countries like Spain, Jordan, and Egypt to improve humanitarian access in Syria, focusing on delivering medical aid and essential supplies to affected populations .

Condemnation of Chemical Weapons Use New Zealand has consistently condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria. In May 2023, the government contributed over €84,000 to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to support missions aimed at eliminating Syria's chemical weapons program and investigating alleged uses of such weapons .

Additionally, in response to chemical attacks in Eastern Ghouta, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in 2018 expressed support for targeted military actions by the US, UK, and France, emphasizing the importance of returning to multilateral processes through the United Nations .

Security and Political Stance New Zealand has voiced concerns over military actions in northeast Syria, particularly Turkey's cross-border operations, which risk exacerbating instability and undermining efforts against ISIL (Da’esh). The government has urged all parties to comply with international law and seek political solutions to the conflict . The Beehive

In 2022, New Zealand decided to withdraw its Defence Force personnel from Operation Inherent Resolve, the global coalition against ISIS, by June 2023, reflecting a shift in its military engagement in the region . Ministry of Defence

Travel Advisory The New Zealand government advises against all travel to Syria due to the extreme security risks, including terrorism, kidnapping, and violent crime. With no diplomatic presence in Syria, consular assistance is severely limited for New Zealand citizens in the region . SafeTravel

In summary, New Zealand's approach to Syria focuses on humanitarian support, advocacy for international law, and participation in multilateral efforts to address the ongoing crisis.