In a landmark diplomatic move, a delegation representing all 15 member states of the United Nations Security Council has conducted a historic visit to Syria. The trip, which took place on Thursday, 4 December 2025, marks the first such visit since the council's founding in 1945.
A Mission to Build Trust in Damascus
The high-level delegation's arrival comes just before the one-year anniversary of the dramatic fall of former President Bashar al-Assad. It signals a significant phase in Syria's ongoing, albeit fragile, reintegration into the international community under its new interim government, led by former Islamist insurgent commander Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Speaking to journalists in the Syrian capital, Samuel Žbogar, Slovenia's permanent representative to the UN and the current Security Council president, framed the visit as an effort to "build trust." He expressed cautious optimism, stating, "I hope that today we made a step forward."
High-Level Meetings and Key Discussions
The delegation engaged in a series of critical meetings during their stay. They held talks with Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and other senior cabinet officials.
Beyond government figures, the group also consulted with local UN staff, representatives of Syrian civil society, and religious leaders. A poignant part of their itinerary involved meeting communities in the coastal region and Sweida province in southern Syria, areas severely affected by sectarian violence earlier this year.
Žbogar confirmed the delegation also met with regional governors and officials from the commission for missing persons and committees investigating the recent violence.
Agenda: Justice, Security, and Sovereignty
The discussions covered a broad agenda central to Syria's future. Key topics included:
- Justice, reconciliation, and fostering an inclusive national dialogue during the political transition.
- Economic development and counter-terrorism efforts.
- The imperative that Syria does not become a source of threat to the security of neighbouring countries.
Žbogar emphasised that the delegation reaffirmed the international community's support for Syria's "sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity."
According to Syria's state-run SANA news agency, the visit included a tour of the heavily damaged Damascus suburb of Jobar, a stark reminder of the protracted conflict, as well as historic sites in the old city. The agency noted that such Security Council visits are exceptionally rare, as they require unanimous agreement among all 15 member states.
