UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Visits Syria for First Time Since 2009

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres is scheduled to visit Damascus on Friday, marking the first trip by a UN chief to the Syrian capital since 2009. Invited by the Syrian government, Guterres will hold official talks with President Ahmad al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to support the country's transitional phase following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024.

The visit signals a shift toward high-level political engagement aimed at reducing Syria's international isolation and moving from emergency relief to early recovery and reconstruction. Guterres intends to endorse political changes and emphasize the necessity of respecting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, specifically regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Daraa and Quneitra regions.

In addition to government meetings, the Secretary-General's itinerary includes consultations with civil society representatives, local community leaders, and non-governmental organizations focused on women's issues. Guterres will also conduct a field inspection of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to monitor ceasefire compliance. The visit coincides with a UN Security Council debate regarding Syria's fragile security conditions, humanitarian needs, and the ongoing threat of Daesh.