Transcript of Speech by President Al-Sharaa at the UNGA debate 2026
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In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate.
We have always focused on people.
Between good and evil, reconstruction and destruction, peoples have struggled. This struggle between good and evil continues; however, good people choose the right path.
Those who fight are very different from those who engage in bloodshed. People can be very cruel to each other if they resort to injustice. When land is usurped, when sanctity is violated, people suffer. And people pay the price.
Falsehood forces people to confront evil. Many wars were waged over history. Unfortunately, our region has seen many of these wars. Sometimes the truth prevails, sometimes the truth does not. Not all peace is just. Wars have taught us that injustice does not continue forever.
Your Excellency, Mr. Khalilur Rahman, President of the General Assembly; Your Excellency, António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Your Majesties,
Your Highnesses, Your Excellencies.
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
A year ago, I stood before you representing my people for the first time in 60 years. I recall the victory of our people and stress that this is a victory for the world as a whole.
Today, I convey to you the facts, the achievements, to go through the breakthrough we have achieved.
Last year, I mentioned that Syria came back.
Today, I say that Syria is rising.
Ladies and gentlemen,
In our journey, in the struggle between good and evil, the bloodshed was stopped. Destruction was stopped.
Syria started the journey of reconstruction, of recovery.
The country was united.
We controlled arms.
We rebuilt military and civilian institutions.
Sanctions were lifted.
Projects for reconstruction have continued.
We have combated drug trafficking, and we focused on transitional justice.
We have ascertained the fate of the missing.
We turned our vision into practical action.
We have forged partnerships, and we focused mainly on the future and on the welfare of our people.
We focused on reconstruction.
We relied on the free will of our people and our independence. This national vision relied on diplomatic efforts.
Since liberation, more than 100 states started communicating with us through 4,000 communications.
Our capital has hosted more than 60 diplomatic missions.
Syria has restored its status in the international community.
It has been a transit for the world.
We also built diplomatic bridges, and in parallel, we proved to the world that the security of the region has to start in Damascus.
With seven states, we started a group, the Breath of Freedom, to destroy the chemical weapons file.
We have been working with the OPCW, and we are working with the IAEA with transparency, as we believe that collective security is our duty.
The strict implementation of our treaties spares our world the horrors of chemical weapons and nuclear weapons.
We combated transnational crime.
We have seized large amounts of Captagon, and we combated the smuggling in people and organized crime.
Stability and security have been established.
We are no longer isolated. The Caesar Act was repealed.
Also, sanctions were lifted and culminated in cooperation with the European Union. Also, we are no longer part of the list of states sponsors of terrorism. We have started production. We have more than 5,000 production lines.
We have seen an increase in agriculture production to ensure self-sufficiency. We also enhanced the service sector.
The housing sector has been focused on. We recovered 3.5 million refugees and IDPs have returned in a safe and decent way.
Syria turned from a crisis to an opportunity for many countries. We believe in human resources.
Any development planning for the region that ignores Syria would be flawed, and the price would be heavy.
Ladies and gentlemen,
These initiatives focus on the recovery of citizens in Syria. This is why we focused on safe and dignified return.
We launched the initiative Syria without refugee camps to end this area.
We have reconstructed universities and schools to maintain educational services to all Syrian citizens. And we have consolidated our values.
We have consolidated the rule of law. Any attempts that violate our sovereignty, violate international law, will be stopped. Golan will remain Syrian territories.
Any other attempts will be thwarted according to Security Council Resolution 497.
I thank all of those who abided by the international law, and I thank those who refrained from reinterpreting Resolution 497. This resolution is clear, and I ask our partners to abide by international law and by this resolution.
The world is joyed about our return, but Israel is launching attacks against Syria. There have been 500 airstrikes, more than 1,200 incursions, and 300 detentions.
This is at odds with the orientation we’re seeing at global level. It is reminiscent of an era that we thought was long gone.
We are committed to the 1974 agreement.
We called for the withdrawal of Israeli forces to the lines of the 8th of December 2024.
We reject Israeli attempts to impose a fait accompli.
We reject their aggressions, which undermines peace and security.
The opportunity for peace and security is available to those who wish to live in peace and just peace that maintains the rights of all.
In conclusion, the war has taught us that truth is strong and that falsehood is weak. Syria will continue its reconstruction, will continue to restore its dignity.
From this rostrum, I recited the verse in the Quran:
“Truth has come and falsehood has vanished.”
Indeed, falsehood is bound to vanish.
We will continue to serve our people.
We will work to serve God.
God will always reward you for your actions.
We have generated momentum with those who supported us. We appreciate all countries that raised their flags in Damascus. We thank the international organizations that believed in partnership with us, that worked with us.
We came to you at the 80th session to announce that we are back.
And at the 81st session, we come to you to provide our achievements.
And at the 82nd session, we will come together again to gain the fruits of strategic partnerships. Partnerships that made Syria an international actor that builds prosperity, a model to lead stability, a vital part that is open to a bright future.
May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.
On behalf of the Assembly, I wish to thank the President of the Syrian Arab Republic.
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23 September 2026
