The UN Secretary-General has arrived in Syria for the first time in 17 years
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in Syria on an official visit. This is the first trip in nearly 17 years by a UN leader to the country, which has endured nearly 14 years of civil war. In Damascus, Guterres plans to meet with Syrian leaders to discuss stability, the country’s recovery, and continued humanitarian support.
António Guterres arrived at Damascus International Airport on Saturday. He was met there by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani. This visit marks the first time a UN Secretary-General has visited Syria in nearly 17 years. The last time a UN Secretary-General visited the country was in 2009, when Ban Ki-moon, who led the UN from 2007 to 2016, traveled to Syria.
Guterres’s visit comes amid Syria’s efforts to move into a new phase following the end of its long-standing internal conflict. The main purpose of the trip is to discuss ways to stabilize the country, support the population, and rebuild key areas of life after the prolonged war.
Talks with Syrian Leaders
During his visit, Guterres will hold meetings with representatives of the Syrian government. Among the scheduled meetings is a meeting with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Sheibani and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The parties are expected to discuss security issues, the humanitarian situation, and future international cooperation.
A separate topic will be Syria’s recovery following years of fighting. According to estimates by international organizations, the country needs large-scale assistance to rebuild homes, hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure. Guterres’s itinerary also includes a trip to the city of Al-Quneitra in southwestern Syria. UN peacekeepers are deployed in this region, and the city itself is under the control of an international mission.
The UN plans to resume aid programs
The UN Secretary-General’s visit is expected to mark the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the Organization and Syria. This involves resuming programs in the areas of education, healthcare, energy, water supply, agriculture, and environmental protection. Attention will also be focused on the country’s digital transformation. The international organization believes that developing these areas can help Syria gradually recover from the war.
For many years, the UN has provided humanitarian aid to Syrians affected by the conflict. Millions of people were forced to flee their homes, and a significant portion of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed.
Syria After Nearly 14 Years of War
The civil war in Syria began in 2011 following mass protests against the government. The conflict quickly escalated into a large-scale confrontation involving various internal and external forces.
Over the years of war, hundreds of thousands of people have died, and millions of Syrians have become refugees or internally displaced persons. The country has faced serious economic challenges, the destruction of cities, and a lack of basic services. That is why the issue of reconstruction has become one of the main priorities for international organizations working in Syria.
The Importance of the Visit for the Region
The Middle East remains one of the most unstable regions in the world, and the situation in Syria affects neighboring countries. The UN views the stabilization of Syria as an important step toward reducing tensions in the region.
During his visit, Guterres is also expected to emphasize the need for political dialogue and a peaceful resolution of conflicts. The international organization states that the country’s recovery must involve all segments of the population and take into account people’s humanitarian needs.
What is known so far
António Guterres has become the first UN Secretary-General in nearly 17 years to visit Syria. As part of his trip, he will hold meetings with Syrian leaders and visit areas where United Nations agencies are operating. The main topics of discussion are expected to be the country’s recovery, humanitarian aid, and the UN’s continued role in supporting Syria following years of war. This was reported by the SANA news agency.
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