UN Secretary-General António Guterres began a landmark visit to Syria on Saturday, July 25th, 2026, describing the country as standing at a "moment of possibility" to recover from more than a decade of conflict and build a more stable, inclusive, and prosperous future for all Syrians.

Speaking in Damascus alongside Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Guterres called Syria “today the pillar of stability of the Middle East” and urged the international community to seize the opportunity to help rebuild the nation. He reflected on his long-standing engagement with Syrians, both as the former UN High Commissioner for Refugees and as Secretary-General, recalling communities that welcomed refugees fleeing conflict and persecution, as well as Syrian families forced to flee their own country.

“I met young Syrians whose hopes were simple and universal: to learn, to work, to contribute, and to live in peace,” Guterres said. He explained that these experiences motivated his decision to visit Damascus now, after consciously choosing not to come since the beginning of the brutal repression of the Syrian people in 2011 until the fall of the regime.

The Secretary-General acknowledged the years of hardship, loss, and uncertainty endured by Syrians but emphasized their resilience, talent, and creativity. He called on the international community to help create conditions for economic recovery, restore essential services and infrastructure, expand livelihoods and employment opportunities, and support the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of refugees and displaced people.

Guterres affirmed that the UN will continue working with Syrians and international partners to support “a future defined by peace, dignity and opportunity by the Syrians themselves.”