Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa headed Syria’s delegation on Tuesday, September 22, at the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, accompanied by Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh, and Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ibrahim Olabi.

Al-Sharaa also met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the General Assembly meetings.

Al-Sharaa and his accompanying delegation arrived in New York on Monday, September 21. He is scheduled to deliver a speech before the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23.

Al-Sharaa’s visit to participate in the 81st session of the UN General Assembly includes several activities, including talks with a number of world leaders and officials attending the United Nations’ largest annual gathering, held each September.

Al-Sharaa is also expected to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amid the absence of clear official statements on the possibility of a direct meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Meeting with the Syrian Community

President al-Sharaa began his schedule by meeting a delegation from the Syrian community in the United States, with Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani also taking part.

During the meeting, the president discussed key developments in Syria, the most significant work completed during the previous period, and the country’s reconstruction and recovery process. He also listened to participants’ comments and proposals on a number of issues.

Al-Sharaa stressed the importance of the Syrian community’s role in strengthening and advancing Syrian-US relations, as well as drawing on the expertise and skills of Syrians abroad and their contribution to reconstruction and development efforts.

Meeting with Members of Congress

Al-Sharaa also met a number of members of the US Congress to discuss bilateral relations between Syria and the United States, conditions in Syria, and regional and international developments.

Members of Congress affirmed their support for Syria’s unity and sovereignty, reconstruction and recovery efforts, and efforts to strengthen stability.

Second Participation

Ahmed al-Sharaa’s current participation in the UN General Assembly meetings marks his second attendance, following his participation in last year’s session.

In his speech last year, al-Sharaa said that “Syria achieved a victory for the entire world when it brought down a system of criminality that had lasted for 60 years, transforming from a country that exported crises into a historic opportunity to bring stability, peace, and prosperity to the entire region.”

The UN General Assembly meetings are considered the foremost annual diplomatic gathering, bringing together leaders and representatives of the organization’s 193 member states at UN headquarters in New York to discuss shared global challenges.

The General Assembly is the United Nations’ main forum for deliberation and policymaking, where each member state has one vote.

The annual regular session usually begins on the Tuesday of the third week of September, drawing a large number of heads of state and government who take turns delivering speeches.

The meetings focus on international crises, regional conflicts, sustainable development, and climate issues.

The General Assembly issues recommendations and resolutions that express the positions of the international community, although they are not legally binding. The gathering also provides a platform for bilateral meetings and intensive negotiations among diplomats and world leaders.