António Guterres Says Syria Is at a Pivotal Moment During Historic Visit to Damascus
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on the international community to increase support for Syria as the country begins the difficult task of rebuilding after more than a decade of civil war.
Guterres made the appeal during a landmark visit to the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Saturday, marking the first visit by a UN secretary-general to the country since 2009.
His visit comes as Syria seeks to recover from years of conflict that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions of people to flee their homes.
Syria Begins a New Chapter
The Syrian civil war came to an end in 2024 when rebel forces overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad after more than a decade in power.
The rebel coalition was led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who was appointed interim president in January 2025 to oversee the country’s transition, reconstruction efforts and the integration of various armed groups into a unified state.
Shortly after arriving in Damascus, Guterres met with al-Sharaa and described Syria as being at a “pivotal moment” in its journey toward peace and stability.
The UN chief emphasized that sustained international cooperation would be essential to help the country recover from years of devastation.
Rebuilding Will Cost Billions
The conflict left much of Syria’s infrastructure in ruins, with homes, schools, hospitals and public services severely damaged.
According to the World Bank, rebuilding the country is expected to cost approximately $216 billion, making it one of the largest reconstruction efforts in recent history.
Although the United States and several European countries have lifted many of the sanctions imposed during the Assad era, the economic recovery has remained slow.
International aid has also declined in recent years, placing additional pressure on communities already struggling to rebuild their lives.
Poverty Remains Widespread
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains severe despite the end of the conflict.
The United Nations estimates that around 90 percent of the country’s population continues to live in poverty, with many families facing shortages of food, healthcare and employment opportunities.
Humanitarian organizations have warned that continued international assistance will be critical to improving living conditions and supporting long-term recovery.
Guterres urged donor nations and international partners to stand with the Syrian people as they rebuild their communities and institutions.
Regional Security Challenges Continue
During his visit, Guterres is also expected to meet members of the United Nations peacekeeping force stationed along Syria’s border with Israel.
Although interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has said his government does not seek conflict with Israel, tensions remain high along the frontier.
Following the change in leadership, Israel moved to take control of the buffer zone separating the two countries and has carried out hundreds of airstrikes targeting Syrian military facilities.
Israeli forces have also conducted periodic operations in villages outside the buffer zone, leading to occasional clashes with local residents.
Despite the challenges, the United Nations says lasting peace, reconstruction and international cooperation will be vital to securing a stable future for Syria after years of war.
