Following a significant two-day visit to Damascus, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued an urgent appeal for the international community to remove all remaining sanctions against Syria. As the country works to stabilize under its new leadership following the end of the Assad era, Guterres emphasized that these economic barriers are hindering critical recovery efforts. While he acknowledged recent minor concessions from Western nations, he argued that full economic normalization is essential to tackle the staggering $216 billion reconstruction cost and to restore the infrastructure and essential services necessary for the nation's revival.

During his trip—the first by a UN chief to the country since 2009—Guterres held high-level meetings with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and various civil society representatives to discuss the ongoing political transition. He expressed optimism regarding the current direction of the government, while simultaneously stressing the need for the safe return of millions of displaced citizens and refugees. Furthermore, he took a firm stand against recent border incursions, declaring any violations of Syrian sovereignty as unacceptable, and reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people as they navigate this pivotal and transformative chapter in their history.