All Syrians Must Have Voice in Shaping Country’s Future, Security Council Speakers Stress amid Calls for Inclusive State Institutions, Stronger Rule of Law
Meeting 13 years after a deadly chemical-weapons attack was perpetrated by the former regime in the outskirts of Damascus, the Security Council today heard that, despite progress in overcoming Syria’s old challenges, the international community must continue to support the country as it confronts new ones.
Syria has undergone profound change since the former regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by popular uprising in December 2024. Recent Council meetings on developments there have focused on how fragile gains achieved in the intervening years can be consolidated despite continued humanitarian need and Israeli military activity.
Spotlighting a historic development — the first visit to Syria by a UN Secretary-General in 17 years — was Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy for that country, who recalled António Guterres’ message: “The success of the political transition will ultimately be measured by whether all Syrians feel represented in State institutions and able to participate meaningfully in shaping their country’s future.”
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He went on to detail recent developments, including the conviction and sentencing of Bashar al-Assad and other former officials, continued Israeli military activity in violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and internal security challenges. Of particular importance was the announcement of the dissolution of the Syrian Democratic Forces, which he called “important progress” towards the integration of north-east Syria, even as he noted unresolved tensions in the southern city of Sweida.
Returning to the Secretary-General’s time in Syria, he recalled Mr. Guterres’ discussions with Syrian women and civil-society organizations, all of whom emphasized the importance of inclusion. “Ensuring the meaningful participation of all segments of society remains essential,” he said, emphasizing that Syrian women “remain an extraordinary reservoir of experience and capacity”. He added: “Their efforts to build a Syrian State that meets the expectations of Syrian women — and, indeed, all Syrians — predate this transition.”
One of them — Rola Roukbi, Country Director for Lebanon in the civil-society organization Women Now for Development — pointed to “one of the greatest risks” facing a Syria in transition: “That we change the people in power without changing the way power is exercised.” She expressed concern over “excessive centralization” and a lack of clarity around governance, transparency and accountability, stressing that “women still find themselves at the margins when it comes to decisions about the country’s future”.
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To illustrate, she noted that women represent less than 11 per cent of seats in the legislature, and only one member of the transitional Cabinet. “Meaningful participation means women being present where decisions are made, not only when photos are being taken,” she argued. A State that does not recognize women as full and equal citizens “cannot be democratic — regardless of what its political system is called”.
Syria needs “justice that does not select its victims”, she said, with trust rebuilt — both between citizens and the State and among Syrians themselves. Urging that international support be linked to clear benchmarks on human rights, the rule of law and accountability, she stated: “We have learned, at an enormous human cost, that stability built on fear and silence is not peace — it merely defers the next crisis.”
Many Council members today similarly underlined the importance of inclusive participation in the new Syria, with the representative of Denmark — Council President for August — speaking in her national capacity to state that this must be at the centre of the Council’s engagement with the country. “The participation of women, minorities, youth and civil society is integral to the success of the political transition,” she stressed, also spotlighting women’s important role in transitional justice.
France’s representative also underscored the importance of women’s participation in Syrian politics, noting that they “are waiting to take up their rightful place” in society. “The protection and meaningful political participation of all Syrians — including women [and] irrespective of ethnicity or religion — must be guaranteed,” said Greece’s representative. China’s representative added that participation “should fully respect Syria’s multicultural reality, accommodate the religious and cultural differences among communities and equally protect the legitimate rights and interests of all groups”.
‘Signs of Revival’ amid Immense, Underfunded Humanitarian Need
Another focus of today’s meeting was the humanitarian situation, as the Council was also briefed by Indrika Ratwatte, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. Recalling his recent visit to Syria, he observed: “After years of conflict, displacement and economic decline, there are encouraging signs of revival.” More Syrians are returning home, agricultural production is improving and the Government is working towards sustainable development and economic growth.
“But optimism must be tempered by realism”, he cautioned, as millions of people still struggle to access healthcare, food, clean water, education and economic opportunity. And, while nearly 2 million internally displaced people and more than 1.7 million refugees have returned since December 2024, close to 1,400 explosive-ordnance incidents have caused more than 2,400 casualties since that time, he reported.
In response, the UN’s Syria Humanitarian Fund has just launched a $70 million initiative that includes support for the clearance of explosive hazards, he said. However, “we are being asked to do more with less”, as the humanitarian appeal for Syria is only 30 per cent funded despite the UN working to prioritize only the most severe needs. He asked for flexible humanitarian and development funding, while urging that more attention be paid to preventing Syria’s entanglement in regional conflict. “This is not the moment to step back,” he urged.
“The transition is still in a delicate phase,” noted Colombia’s representative, stressing that — despite political progress and expected double-digit economic growth in 2026 — needs are “vast”. He joined others in underlining the importance of maintaining international support for the underfunded humanitarian response.
“Sustainable returns demand safety, adequate housing, functioning schools and health facilities, livelihoods, documentation, protection services and essential public utilities,” observed the representative of Somalia, also speaking for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia. Humanitarian relief, recovery and reconstruction “must therefore advance in tandem”, he said, welcoming the removal of Syria from the United States’ list of State sponsors of terrorism as this “paves the way” for foreign investment.
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For her part, the representative of the United States said that lifting restrictions on Syria will unlock opportunities to rebuild the country while also enhancing peace and security. Her country’s decision to rescind Syria’s designation as a State sponsor of terrorism on 24 August was a “historic milestone”, which recognizes Syria’s progress on political, humanitarian and security priorities.
Many other members also welcomed this decision, with Panama’s representative describing it as an “important show of confidence” in Syria’s transformation. It also supports Syria’s reconstruction, recovery and reintegration into the international community, said Bahrain’s representative. However, she pointed to another issue that many touched on today — Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and continued occupation of the Syrian Golan.
“Ensuring security interests through military force is not sustainable in the long run,” emphasized the representative of Latvia, highlighting Damascus’ restraint while urging Israel and Syria to negotiate towards “mutually acceptable security arrangements”. The representative of the United Kingdom agreed on the need for dialogue — such as direct talks between the two held recently in Jordan.
“We call on West Jerusalem to stop these military escapades,” declared the representative of the Russian Federation, as they “undermine efforts to fully resolve the situation in [Syria]”. They — along with continued occupation of Syrian land — clearly violate international law. Pakistan’s representative agreed, calling for full respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and withdrawal of Israeli forces from all occupied land.
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Other speakers from the region agreed, with Türkiye’s representative warning that Israel “continues to undermine [Syria’s] positive trajectory through its reckless attacks and destabilizing actions”. The representative of Qatar, speaking for the Arab Group, added that Israel’s actions jeopardize Syria’s efforts to restore security, rebuild institutions and address the “humanitarian repercussions of years of protracted conflict”.
Indeed, as Syria continues to secure its borders and combat terrorism, “Israel continues to move in exactly the opposite direction,” Syria’s representative stressed. However, pointing to the restraint shown by his country — and acknowledged by many today — he said: “These attacks will not change our path; they will not change Syria’s choice for stability.” As for the Syrian Golan, he said that “it will return to the Syrian people no matter how long it takes”.
More broadly, he spotlighted “the end of an era and the beginning of another”, as August visits by the Secretary-General and other UN officials herald a new paradigm of partnership over tension, return over displacement, clarity over ambiguity and openness over isolation. “Damascus is rising once again, with the legacy of thousands of years, and looking confidently towards the future,” he said.