A/HRC/RES/40/17 safe humanitarian assistance, including the over 5 million Syrians whose needs are particularly acute; 49. Strongly condemns the Syrian authorities’ removal of humanitarian aid from United Nations-approved convoys, including medical aid and supplies intended to reach desperate populations deprived of food, medical aid and vital necessities; 50. Demands that the Syrian authorities facilitate, and all other parties to the conflict do not hinder, the full, immediate and safe access of the United Nations and humanitarian actors, and that they ensure that the delivery of humanitarian aid reaches all those in need, including in hard-to-reach areas, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions, and calls upon Member States to fully fund the United Nations appeals; 51. Expresses deep concern for the more than 5.3 million registered refugees in the region fleeing the violence in the Syrian Arab Republic, welcomes the efforts of the neighbouring countries, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, as well as of Egypt, to host Syrian refugees, acknowledges the socioeconomic consequences of the presence of large-scale refugee populations in those countries and urges the international community to provide urgent financial support to enable the host countries to respond to the growing humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees, including the particular needs of women, girls and persons with disabilities, while emphasizing the principles of responsibility and burden-sharing; 52. Notes those States outside the region that have put in place measures and policies to assist and to host Syrian refugees, encourages them to do more, and also encourages other States outside the region to consider implementing similar measures and policies, also with a view to providing Syrian refugees with protection and humanitarian assistance; 53. Welcomes the relevant international conferences on supporting the Syrian people, notably the third conference entitled “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” hosted by the European Union in Brussels from 12 to 14 March 2019, and renews its call for the international community to deliver in full all pledges; 54. Reaffirms that there can only be a political solution to the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, demands that all parties work towards a genuine political transition based on the Geneva communiqué and Security Council resolution 2254 (2015), within the framework of the United Nations-led intra-Syrian talks in Geneva and with the equal voice and full and meaningful leadership and participation of women in decision-making and in all efforts consistent with Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 and subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security, that meets the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for a civil, democratic and pluralistic State, in which all citizens receive equal protection, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or belief, and welcomes the inclusion of civil society in this process; 55. one year; Decides to extend the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry for a period of 56. Requests the Commission of Inquiry to provide an oral update to the Human Rights Council during the interactive dialogue at its forty-first session, and to present an updated written report during an interactive dialogue at its forty-second and forty-third sessions; 57. Decides to transmit all reports and oral updates of the Commission of Inquiry to all relevant bodies of the United Nations, recommends that the General Assembly submit the reports to the Security Council for appropriate action, expresses its appreciation to the Commission for its briefings to members of the Security Council, and recommends the continuation of future briefings; 58. Also decides to remain seized of the matter. 53rd meeting 22 March 2019 [Adopted by a recorded vote of 28 to 5, with 14 abstentions. The voting was as follows: In favour: 8