Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa held a series of meetings with heads of state and government leaders on Tuesday, September 22, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York.

Al-Sharaa discussed strengthening economic coordination and cooperation with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. The meeting also addressed Syrian-Iraqi relations, ways to enhance political and security coordination between the two countries, expand economic and trade cooperation, and a number of issues of mutual interest.

The meeting marked the first between the two officials since al-Zaidi became Iraq’s prime minister last April.

Al-Sharaa also took part in a meeting convened by US President Donald Trump with a number of Arab and Muslim leaders. Trump focused on the latest developments in the military conflict between the United States and Iran, noting that officials from the two countries had held political talks aimed at reaching a solution to the war that broke out in late February.

Al-Sharaa also met US Special Envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Syrian presidency said the meeting with Macron addressed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them, as well as the latest regional and international developments. The two sides also exchanged views on issues of mutual interest. No details were provided about the substance of al-Sharaa’s meeting with the US envoy.

Foreign Ministry Meetings

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani met German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, with no details provided about the substance of their meeting.

Qutaiba Qadish, director of the International Cooperation Department at the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, also held a meeting with Michael Karnitschnig, acting director-general of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf.

The meeting focused on prospects for cooperation in development and humanitarian affairs, as well as ways to support economic recovery efforts and stability in the region.

Qadish also discussed with Navid Hanif, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Economic Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, ways to strengthen cooperation with UN bodies concerned with development. He also reviewed plans to support economic recovery and coordinate efforts on issues of mutual interest.

Hamza al-Mustafa, adviser for European affairs at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, held a meeting with Romania’s Political Director, Mihnea Motoc. The two discussed bilateral relations and ways to develop them across various fields.

Al-Mustafa also discussed bilateral relations, ways to strengthen diplomatic communication, and cooperation on issues of mutual interest with Thessalia Salina Shambos, Political Director of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

General Assembly Meetings

The meetings involving Syrian officials come as part of their participation in the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.

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

Al-Sharaa headed the Syrian delegation at the opening session of the UN General Assembly meetings, alongside Foreign Minister and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, Emergency and Disaster Management Minister Raed al-Saleh, and Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ibrahim Olabi.

Al-Sharaa and the accompanying delegation arrived in New York on Monday, September 21. He is expected to deliver an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 23.

Al-Sharaa’s visit includes several activities, among them talks with a number of heads of state and officials attending the UN’s largest annual gathering, which is held every September.