Syrian media| Al-Sharaa to visit the U.S. in September, deliver his first "UN" speech

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa is scheduled to visit the United States in September, where he is expected to deliver an anticipated speech at the United Nations General Assembly—marking the first such address by a Syrian head of state in six decades, according to Syria TV.

The Damascus-based television channel cited informed sources who confirmed that al-Sharaa’s trip to New York will include high-level engagements, with his address at the UN being a symbolic milestone in Syria’s post-war diplomatic reintegration.

First Address in 60 Years

If confirmed, the speech would represent the first appearance by a Syrian president at the UN General Assembly since the early 1960s. Syria’s absence from such high-profile global platforms had long mirrored its international isolation, particularly during the decades of authoritarian rule under Hafez al-Assad and his son Bashar al-Assad.

Al-Sharaa, who assumed the presidency following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, has launched a series of bold diplomatic initiatives to restore Syria’s international standing. The upcoming visit is being described as a pivotal moment in these efforts.

Trump–al-Sharaa Breakthrough in Riyadh

This latest development follows the May 14 meeting between al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh, marking the first encounter between the leaders of Syria and the United States in 25 years.

During the talks, President Trump pledged to begin lifting longstanding U.S. sanctions imposed on Syria—sanctions that date back to the rule of Hafez al-Assad and continued through the brutal tenure of Bashar al-Assad.

Following the summit, the U.S. Treasury Department issued a general license officially permitting previously prohibited transactions involving Syrian entities. The authorization effectively ended financial restrictions on a range of institutions.

U.S. Signals Policy Shift on Syria

In a related move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed an executive directive to suspend sanctions on Syria for a renewable period of 180 days, aimed at facilitating humanitarian aid and boosting economic recovery.

According to Reuters, the waiver is designed to “support stabilization efforts in Syria” as the war-torn country navigates its transitional phase under the new leadership of al-Sharaa.

Toward a New Diplomatic Chapter

Al-Sharaa’s expected appearance at the UN podium is set to symbolize more than just a return to international forums—it reflects an evolving geopolitical equation where Damascus is gradually regaining legitimacy after years of pariah status.

The visit, if carried out as planned, will also serve as a litmus test for Syria’s ability to engage with global institutions and diplomatic norms in the post-Assad era, under a new political vision that emphasizes sovereignty, reconstruction, and regional reintegration