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S/2018/243 14/21 18-04045 to combat terrorist groups designated by the Security Council do not supplant these obligations. 45. Accountability for serious violations is a requirement under international law and central to achieving sustainable peace in the Syrian Arab Republic. I reiterate my call for the situation in the country to be referred to the International Criminal Court. I also call upon all parties to the conflict, Member States, civil society and the United Nations system as a whole to cooperate fully with the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law Committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011. 46. The United Nations and its implementing partners remain focused on reaching those most in need, including the 5.6 million people considered to be in acute need. The impartial and needs-based approach means that the United Nations will continue to seek to deliver aid and to provide services to millions of people in a principled manner, regardless of their location. 47. My Special Envoy is working steadfastly towards the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015) and the pursuit of a political solution to this horrific conflict, which enters its grim eighth year in March. I ask all Member States to continue to support his efforts, notably through continuing engagement with the negotiating parties to encourage their constructive commitment to the United Nations-led intra-Syrian talks in Geneva, and to support the establishment of a constitutional committee. I continue to offer my fullest support to my Special Envoy in this pursuit. 48. Our common objective should be to alleviate and end the suffering of the Syrian people. What the Syrian people need immediately has been made abundantly clear and affirmed in resolution 2401 (2018). Civilians need a cessation of hostilities, protection, access to basic goods and services and an end to sieges. Political efforts to bring the war to an end must be accorded priority and redoubled by all parties to the conflict. If those aspects are addressed together, it is possible to alleviate and truly end the suffering of the Syrian people and bring about sustainable peace in their country