United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is scheduled to travel to Syria later this week. The visit, which comes at the invitation of the Syrian government, marks the first time a UN leader has visited the country since 2009, when Ban Ki-moon held the position.
Claudio Cordone, the deputy UN special envoy to Syria, announced the upcoming trip during a Security Council meeting on Tuesday. He noted that the visit serves to demonstrate the UN's support for the nation's political transition. During his stay, Guterres is expected to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa, who assumed office following the collapse of the Bashar al Assad regime in December 2024. Additionally, the Secretary-General will hold discussions with representatives from civil society and non-governmental organizations that advocate for women's issues.
"Throughout his stay, he will reaffirm the United Nations commitment to supporting the Syrian government and the Syrian people at this defining period in Syria's history," Cordone stated.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the itinerary also includes a visit to UN peacekeepers stationed in the Golan Heights. These forces have maintained a ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the buffer zone since 1974. This diplomatic mission follows a previous visit to Syria by a UN Security Council delegation that took place in December.
