The UN Security Council discussed the latest developments in Syria on Tuesday, July 21, during a session featuring UN briefings and statements from member states. The discussions focused on supporting the country’s recovery, strengthening institutions and respecting its sovereignty, alongside the announcement of an upcoming visit to Damascus by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria Claudio Cordone said, according to Agence France-Presse, that Guterres would visit Syria later this week at the invitation of the Syrian government. It will be his first visit to the country since the fall of the former regime.

Cordone added that the secretary-general would meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as representatives of civil society and nongovernmental organizations working on women’s issues. He said the visit was intended to renew the UN’s commitment to supporting the Syrian government and people during the current phase.

Syria: From a “Crisis Story” to a “Success Story”

During the session, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said the Security Council had spent years discussing Syria while the country was “under the rubble.” He said Syria was now returning to its role as “a bridge linking the world’s different continents.”

Olabi added that the new People’s Assembly included representatives from different governorates, communities and areas of expertise, describing this as an indication of the new phase the country was undergoing.

Addressing conditions in Suwayda governorate, he said the area was “at the heart of Syria” and that safeguarding the dignity of its residents was “a national duty.” He also said a process had been launched to hold those responsible for violations in the governorate accountable.

On regional affairs, Olabi said the Syrian government had chosen to build relations with neighboring countries away from conflict. He stressed that Syria “will not be a route for illicit weapons or an arena for settling regional scores.”

He added that Syrian authorities were continuing to intercept smuggled weapons shipments, while accusing Israel of continuing to bring weapons across the border. He said Damascus had chosen “diplomacy and restraint,” while maintaining its rights and refusing to accept occupation.

Olabi concluded by saying Syria had been presented before the Security Council for years as a “crisis story,” but was now returning as a “success story.”

UN: Opportunity to Build Inclusive Institutions

Cordone said Syria had a “genuine opportunity” to build inclusive institutions that responded to Syrians’ needs and strengthened trust between the state and society.

He added that the country continued to face security incidents, economic difficulties and local tensions, calling for support for the Syrian government and people during this phase.

Cordone also called for progress on justice through “transparent and fair” judicial measures and for the implementation of recommendations issued by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry to strengthen accountability and the rule of law.

He said the United Nations continued to provide technical and logistical support to the government and was pursuing rehabilitation efforts in areas under state control.

On security, Cordone said the Syrian government had affirmed its intention to prevent the country from becoming an arena for regional conflict. He stressed the importance of respecting Syria’s sovereignty and preventing further escalation.

He also called for an end to violations of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and expressed UN concern over continued Israeli military activity in southern Syria.

Cordone added that removing Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism reflected growing international confidence in its recovery process. At the same time, he stressed that counterterrorism remained a priority because of continuing armed attacks and the threat posed by cross-border drug trafficking.

Humanitarian Needs Continue

Edem Wosornu, director of operations and advocacy at the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said Syria stood at a “critical juncture” after years of crises, with a genuine opportunity to move from emergency humanitarian assistance toward recovery.

She added that Syrians returning to their areas reflected their desire to rebuild their lives, but stressed that their return did not mark the end of the crisis because humanitarian needs remained extensive.

Wosornu said approximately 15.6 million people inside Syria required humanitarian assistance, while communities receiving returnees were facing growing pressure because of damaged infrastructure and weak services.

She called for sustainable humanitarian funding and long-term solutions to the obstacles preventing displaced people and refugees from returning.

International Positions

Several Security Council members expressed broadly similar positions during the session, focusing on supporting the transitional process, respecting Syria’s sovereignty and strengthening stability.

The US representative said Syria continued to make progress on the political, humanitarian and security levels. She described the lifting of sanctions as an important step toward economic recovery and the country’s reintegration into the international community.

She also called on Israel to comply with the Disengagement Agreement, while welcoming the Syrian government’s announcement that it had intercepted a weapons shipment allegedly headed to Hezbollah.

Tariq Fatemi, special assistant to the Pakistani prime minister, said the meeting of the new People’s Assembly represented an important step in the transitional process. He stressed the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to support its economic recovery.

Fatemi also said Israel’s continued occupation of the Golan Heights constituted a violation of international law and an obstacle to Syria’s stability.

Denmark’s representative affirmed her country’s support for Syria in combating terrorism and its continued support for the transitional process. Russia’s representative, meanwhile, stressed Moscow’s support for the Syrian government’s efforts to protect citizens’ rights.

The Russian representative said Israeli military operations were contributing to increased tensions in southern Syria. She added that terrorism remained a security challenge requiring international coordination, particularly following the recent bombings in Damascus.

The session came less than a month after the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on June 25 extending the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the occupied Golan Heights. International efforts to support Syria’s recovery and stability are continuing.