Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa will embark on a series of high-profile international engagements this month, marking the most visible return of Syria to the global stage since the fall of the Assad regime.
Sharaa is scheduled to address the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, becoming the first Syrian head of state to speak at the forum since Nouruddin al-Atassi in 1967. His participation comes less than a year after Syrian revolutionary forces ended 61 years of Baathist rule, including 53 years under the Assad family, on December 8, 2024.
Independent Arabia reported that the United States granted Sharaa and his delegation a special visa waiver, lifting longstanding travel restrictions on Syrian officials. He will be joined by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Syria’s new UN representative, Ibrahim al-Olabi.
Meetings with World Leaders
Diplomatic sources told Independent Arabia that Sharaa will meet US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the session. He is also expected to hold talks with Turkish President Recep Erdogan at the Turkish House in New York. The visits, described as a “historic turning point” by regional diplomats, come amid Saudi-Turkish efforts to support Syria’s reintegration into international institutions.
The UN has framed this year’s General Assembly as a pivotal moment for multilateralism, under the theme: “Working Together for Better Results: Eighty Years and Beyond for Peace, Development, and Human Rights.” Events will run from September 22 to 26, highlighting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Concordia Summit Participation
Alongside his UN appearance, Sharaa will attend the Concordia Summit in New York, according to the organization’s announcement. Concordia, which brings together global leaders from politics, business, and civil society, confirmed that al-Sharaa will deliver remarks on reconstruction and strategic partnerships. It will mark the first address by a Syrian president at the summit.
Planned Moscow Summit
Following his US trip, Sharaa is scheduled to travel to Moscow in October for an Arab-Russian summit. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced the visit during a press conference in Damascus alongside Syrian Foreign Minister Shaibani, saying Russia views the trip as the start of “a new page in relations.”
A Russian delegation led by Novak arrived in Damascus this week for preparatory talks. The delegation, which included Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Vershinin, met with Sharaa at the People’s Palace to discuss cooperation in security, defense, and economic development, according to SANA.
Symbolism of Renewed Diplomacy
Sharaa’s series of visits signals a broader shift in Syria’s foreign policy after decades of isolation. His appearance at the UN will be the first by a Syrian leader since Damascus severed meaningful engagement with international institutions following the 1967 war and the loss of the Golan Heights. For the new president, the trips represent both a symbolic return to global diplomacy and a test of how far international partners are willing to engage with post-Assad Syria.
