Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, September 24, becoming the first Syrian head of state to do so since 1967. His remarks, delivered during the 80th session in New York, centered on Syria’s transition from decades of authoritarian rule to what he described as a renewed pursuit of stability and diplomacy.
“Our story is a lesson from history and a true representation of noble human values,” Sharaa said, opening with a narrative of suffering under the former Assad regime, which he accused of chemical attacks, torture and mass displacement. He cited nearly one million dead and two million homes destroyed before its collapse last year.
Commitments to Reform and Justice
The president pledged to pursue justice against “all those with blood on their hands,” while emphasizing the restructuring of state institutions. He said Syria is preparing for People’s Assembly elections and has launched commissions for transitional justice and the missing.
Sharaa also reaffirmed that “we are proceeding with a policy based on diplomacy and stability,” calling dialogue the cornerstone of his government’s approach. He urged the full lifting of sanctions, which he said hinder economic recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Relations Abroad and Regional Stability
Turning to foreign policy, Sharaa stated that Syria remains committed to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel but condemned what he called ongoing violations of Syrian territory. “Israel’s actions contradict international efforts to achieve stability in Syria,” he said.
The president expressed gratitude to regional and international partners, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United States and the European Union, for what he described as their support in Syria’s transitional phase.
Solidarity With Gaza
Sharaa also addressed the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling for an immediate halt to hostilities. “We are among the peoples most deeply aware of the horrors of war and destruction,” he said. “For this reason, we stand firmly with the people of Gaza, its children and women.”
He framed Syria’s new path as one tied to broader regional peace, arguing that his country had shifted from being “an exporter of crisis into a country seeking to solve its problems and calm the region.”
A New Chapter for Syria
Concluding his address, Sharaa said Syria is rebuilding as a state rooted in law, determined to safeguard rights and freedoms. “Today, Syria is rebuilding itself through establishing a new state, building institutions and laws that guarantee the rights of all without exception,” he told delegates.
The last time a Syrian president addressed the General Assembly was in 1967, when Nuruddin al-Atassi spoke during a special session following the June War.
