UN Secretary-General Guterres Arrives in Damascus in First Visit by UN Chief Since 2009

UN Secretary-General Guterres Arrives in Damascus in First Visit by UN Chief Since 2009
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has arrived in the Syrian capital Damascus for his first visit to the country by a UN chief in 16 years, aiming to reaffirm the organization’s support for Syria during its transitional phase following more than 13 years of conflict.

Guterres was received at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, according to Syria’s official news agency SANA. The visit marks the first trip by a UN secretary-general to Syria since Ban Ki-moon visited the country in 2009.

During his visit, which will continue until Monday, Guterres is expected to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and discuss UN support for the country’s political transition after a devastating conflict that has killed more than half a million Syrians.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said Guterres will emphasize that Syria’s current opportunity is not only about recovering from war but also about building a future based on greater stability, inclusiveness, and prosperity for all Syrians.

The UN chief is also scheduled to meet representatives of civil society and non-governmental organizations supporting women’s issues, as well as visit the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which has monitored the ceasefire between Syria and Israel in the Golan Heights buffer zone since 1974.

The visit comes as the international community continues to call for the establishment of strong institutions, effective governance, and a political system that includes all components of Syrian society. UN officials said Guterres’ visit reflects the organization’s commitment to supporting the Syrian government and people during what they described as a critical stage in the country’s history.