Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa made his country’s debut appearance at the UN Climate Conference on November 6, pledging that Syria will play a constructive role in international efforts to confront climate change. The participation marks the first time a Syrian president has attended the global summit since its founding in 1995.
Syria’s First Appearance at COP30
Sharaa arrived in the Brazilian city of Belém to join world leaders, scientists, and activists at the 30th Conference of the Parties, or COP30. The event, which runs through Nov. 21, brings together representatives from 198 countries under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to discuss ways to reduce global emissions and limit global warming.
The Syrian delegation includes Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Minister of Local Administration and Environment Muhammad Anjarani. The president was welcomed by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva before joining heads of state for the opening ceremony.
In his address, Sharaa said that “preserving nature is a shared human duty that guarantees the future of generations.” He expressed Syria’s solidarity with nations suffering from climate disasters such as floods, wildfires, and drought, and called for collective action to protect the planet.
A Message of Cooperation and Renewal
Speaking to Al-Sharq TV ahead of the summit, Sharaa emphasized that Syria’s participation in COP30 reflects its “strategic relations” with the international community. “Syria’s sensitive location in the world makes it eligible to play an increasingly important regional and global role,” he said, adding that the growing rapprochement between Damascus and its neighbors represents one of the country’s key diplomatic gains.
The president’s appearance in Brazil coincides with a major diplomatic milestone at the UN. On Thursday, the Security Council adopted a US-drafted resolution lifting sanctions on Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab. The decision removes both men from terrorism-related lists and underscores what US Ambassador Mike Waltz called “a recognition that Syria has entered a new era since the end of the Assad regime.”
Global Leaders Warn of Urgency
The summit opened with warnings from world leaders about the narrowing window to limit global warming. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said humanity faces “a critical moment that requires either bold leadership or a march towards destruction.” He criticized decades of delay that have allowed temperatures to rise beyond safe limits.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva echoed those concerns, telling delegates that “the opportunity for decisive action is closing rapidly.” He urged industrialized nations to increase support for developing countries facing the brunt of the climate crisis.
Syria’s Expanding Diplomatic Footprint
Sharaa met separately with Guterres, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, and World Bank President Ajay Banga, SANA reported. A source told Syria TV that the Syrian leader also plans meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other officials on the sidelines of the conference.
Syria’s inclusion at COP30 follows its reintegration into several international forums after years of conflict and isolation. Sharaa has sought to portray Syria as a nation ready to engage in global cooperation and rebuild its role in regional and international diplomacy.
