Syria’s Political Transition Reaches Milestone, UN Official Tells Security Council, as Speakers Call for Israel’s Withdrawal, Focus on Economic Recovery

Syria's Political Transition Reaches Milestone, UN Official Tells Security Council, as Speakers Call for Israel's Withdrawal, Focus on Economic Recovery

Syria's political transition has reached an important institutional milestone with the establishment of a People's Assembly and Constitutional Supreme Court, senior UN officials told the Security Council today, warning that continued insecurity, Israeli military activity and a severely underfunded humanitarian response threaten the country's delicate progress.

"The past month has demonstrated both the opportunities and the fragility of Syria's transition," Claudio Cordone, Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, speaking via video-link from Damascus, told the 15-member Security Council.

The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's Government in December 2024 marked a watershed moment in Syria's modern history, ending more than five decades of family rule and more than 13 years of devastating conflict. Since then, Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has engaged more closely with the international community and undertaken significant reforms, promising accountability for past atrocity crimes.

The seven-member Supreme Constitutional Court includes two women, Mr. Cordone stressed, while the People's Assembly - which just held its inaugural session - includes 206 members from varied professional, political, tribal and social backgrounds. Women, however, account for only 22 members.

"Ensuring effective responses to questions of inclusion, participation and representation will continue to be essential for stability in Syria," Mr. Cordone said. The consolidation of the legislative and the judicial institutions as independent from the executive will be an "important component" of the political transition.

Reporting on judicial proceedings, he said that "beyond criminal accountability, we look forward to further efforts to define a comprehensive Syrian-led and Syrian-owned transitional justice framework." He called for reparations and recognition of survivors' experiences. He also noted progress on military, judicial and administrative integration in north-eastern Syria.

In southern Syria, he warned that the political impasse in Sweida remains unresolved. He condemned terrorist attacks and Israeli military activity, warning that incursions and restrictions on civilians "heighten regional tensions" and risk undermining confidence in the transition. "The success of this transition will not be judged solely by the institutions that are created, but by how they function," he said.

Humanitarian Needs Remain Vast

"Syria stands at a pivotal moment," echoed Edem Wosornu, Director of the Crisis Response Division in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). While noting that since December 2024, 1.7 million refugees and 1.9 million internally displaced persons have returned to their communities, she said that 5.5 million people remain displaced within Syria and more than 6 million Syrian refugees remain abroad.

An estimated 15.6 million people - nearly two thirds of the population - still require humanitarian assistance, she said, including around 80 per cent of the population in southern Syria. At the year's halfway point, the humanitarian appeal is just under one-third funded. Since May, the World Food Programme (WFP) has halved emergency food assistance, from 1.3 million people to 650,000, she warned.

She urged the Council to ensure sustained and predictable humanitarian funding and to invest in the foundations of recovery: Livelihoods, housing, demining and local infrastructure included. The Council must work to prevent further instability, protect civilians and ensure safe, unimpeded humanitarian access, particularly in southern Syria. "Recovery is not measured by how many people return; it is measured by whether they can stay, rebuild and thrive," she concluded.

Keep Syria Out of Regional Turmoil, Pakistan Warns, as Others Call for Israel's Withdrawal

"After years of devastating conflict, the Syrian people now have an opportunity to turn the page," said Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Minister for State of Pakistan, in the ensuing discussion. As recent terror attacks made clear, Syria's security situation remains fragile. He condemned Israel's illegal occupation of Syrian territory and ongoing violations of sovereignty. "It is important that Syria is not drawn into a wider regional turmoil that could undermine its stability," he warned.

"Syrian-led and Syrian-owned is the greatest common denominator in the international community's approach to Syria," China's representative explained, urging all countries to work together to counter terrorism. Bahrain's representative meanwhile called for Israel's withdrawal from Syrian territory, continued humanitarian assistance and conditions enabling the safe, voluntary and dignified return of refugees.

Türkiye's delegate called on the international community to fulfil its responsibilities and end attacks that undermine progress made since December 2024 and stability in the entire region. Israel's attacks violate international law and the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, he said, a point echoed by an observer for the State of Palestine, speaking for the Arab Group, who called for international backing of Syrian Government efforts to restore authority nationwide. The United Kingdom's delegate pressed Israel to set out a timeline for withdrawal, warning: "There is a real risk that wider regional conflict could undermine the country's long overdue recovery."

No Place for Geopolitical Rivalries

On that note, the representative of the United States said her country's President recently informed Congress of his intent to remove Syria from its list of State sponsors of terrorism. "These important developments are a reminder of how far Syria has come in such a short time," she said. However, ISIL/Da'esh still poses a serious threat. Pledging that the United States will continue to work with Syria to dismantle terrorist networks, she condemned Iran's attack on southern Syria last week, which was conducted under the pretext of striking United States' forces.

The Russian Federation's delegate called for the complete lifting of all unilateral restrictive measures. She rejected any scenario in which Syria becomes "an arena for geopolitical rivalry and the settling of scores among various external actors". Citing acute shortages of housing, infrastructure and jobs, as well as limited access to healthcare and education, she questioned the policies of European States that offer Syrian refugees financial incentives to return before the conditions necessary for their sustainable reintegration are in place.

Fate of Missing Persons a Humanitarian Obligation

The representatives of Panama and Colombia were among those emphasizing the need for transitional justice and accountability for past crimes, with the latter declaring: "It is essential to advance credible, impartial and inclusive mechanisms for truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence".

Others drew attention to the fate and whereabouts of tens of thousands of forcibly disappeared and missing persons, which remains unknown. Latvia's representative encouraged the Syrian transitional Government and relevant national bodies to continue their constructive engagement with the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism on Syria, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry and the International Committee of the Red Cross. "Shedding light on the fate of missing persons remains a humanitarian obligation," Greece's delegate affirmed.

Economic Recovery Key to Stability

"Building a new future on the ashes of nearly 14 years of devastating war will not be easy," Denmark's delegate said, noting that her country has increased its support for protection and early-recovery efforts. Others echoed the need for economic development, with Somalia's representative, speaking also for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia, stressing: "Sustainable peace cannot be achieved without tangible economic progress that benefits all Syrians."

France's delegate described Syria's economic recovery as an urgent priority, noting that Paris is working with Damascus to generate "a confidence boost" that could attract investors. This was the purpose of a recent visit by representatives of several French companies, who met with the Syrian authorities to explore potential cooperation.

Syria Projects Confidence

"Syria was once a battlefield, but today it is once again becoming a bridge connecting the different continents of the world," Syria's delegate told the Council, pointing to agreements aimed at rehabilitating regional energy infrastructure. He welcomed the inaugural session of the People's Assembly, whose members include women, former detainees, defectors from the previous regime, refugees, persons with disabilities and representatives of different communities.

"The basic pillars for building State institutions during the transitional phase have now been completed," he said. Syria is committed to transitional justice, accountability and the safe return of displaced persons. "The preservation of the dignity of Sweida's people, in all their different components, is a national duty on which there can be no compromise." He also emphasized Syria's commitment to regional stability, counter-terrorism and diplomatic engagement.

"Syria will not be a corridor for illegal weapons," he declared, citing the interception of a weapons shipment allegedly destined for Lebanon. Contrasting Syria's actions with Israeli military operations, he stated: "Syria sends rescue teams, while Israel sends occupying forces."