Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara' heads to New York to participate in the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly

Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara' is scheduled to participate in the proceedings of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly and the "High-Level Week" set to take place from September 22 to 30 in New York City.

Accompanying President al-Shara' on this historic visit, which is the first by a Syrian president to the United States in six decades, are Foreign Minister and Expatriates As'ad Hassan al-Shaybani, the new Syrian envoy to the United Nations Ibrahim al-Alabi, along with a high-level diplomatic delegation.

This participation represents Syria's first presidential attendance since 1967, while its participation in the "High-Level Week" is the first of its kind ever.

According to what was reported by the "Independent Arabic" agency, Washington has granted President al-Shara' a visa to enter the United States in preparation for an official visit lasting four days from September 21 to 25. The agency quoted diplomatic sources as saying: "Foreign Minister As'ad al-Shaybani and the new Syrian envoy to the United Nations Ibrahim al-Alabi will accompany the president during the visit, as part of delivering a speech on behalf of Syria before the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on the 24th of the same month."

The same sources added that "preparations are underway for a meeting between President al-Shara' and his American counterpart Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 80th session of the General Assembly," noting that "the visit program also includes a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the 'Turkish House' in New York."

Diplomatic sources described this visit as a "historic turning point" in Syrian-American relations, confirming the existence of "intensive Saudi-Turkish efforts to support al-Shara's government in the diplomatic file within the United Nations."

In a related context, the "Associated Press" agency reported a few days ago, citing an internal memo from the U.S. State Department, that "the Syrian delegation received an exemption from travel restrictions imposed on Syria for more than a decade, as part of U.S. efforts to strengthen relations after the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024."

During the visit, President al-Shara' and the Foreign Minister will participate in numerous meetings and events, in addition to holding a series of bilateral meetings with leaders of countries and heads of delegations participating in the General Assembly proceedings.

According to the "Syria TV" website, sources stated that this visit "gives it significant symbolic and political importance," especially as it coincides with the launch of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on September 22, which is described as "pivotal" for renewing global commitment to multilateralism and cooperation for peace, development, and human rights.

This year's session is held under the slogan: "By working together, we achieve better results: Eighty years and more for peace, development, and human rights."

From September 22 to 26, high-level events will take place, the most notable of which is the "Media Platform for Sustainable Development Goals," and the "Goals Corner" hosted by the Deputy Secretary-General with the participation of international and community partners.

According to the United Nations, all events will be broadcast live via "United Nations Television," highlighting global challenges, success stories, and practical solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.