Syrian President addressing GA, UNGA80
New York, U.N. (September 24, 2025) — UN General Assembly Day 2: Syria’s al-Sharaa urges end to all sanctions Syrian president calls for global support amid Israeli attacks.
Wednesday’s slate of speakers included Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, Argentina’s Javier Milei and Syria’s interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Al-Sharaa’s speech is the first time in almost six decades that a Syrian leader has addressed the General Assembly.
Israel’s war on Gaza dominated discussions on the first day of the debate, with several world leaders calling for an immediate end to Israeli attacks and the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.
United States President Donald Trump used his speech on Tuesday to denounce immigration, climate change and the UN itself, though he did later voice support for Ukraine regaining control of its territory from Russia.
His Excellency Ahmad Al-Sharaa
President of the Syrian Arab Republic GA 80. Foto credit Ita/BalkanPress
He has pointed to civilians in Gaza, who are “experiencing immense suffering.
“The deepening humanitarian crisis has reached unbearable levels and represents a failure of the international system. At the same time, Hamas continues to hold the hostages it has taken, and many have already lost their lives,” he said.
“An immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza,” he said.
Stubb also said he supports efforts to advance a two-state solution.
“The negotiations must meet the Israeli and Palestinian security needs and Palestinian right to self determination, its legitimate aspiration for statehood and sovereignty,” he said.
The Finnish leader has said the balance of power “is shifting towards the south and the east”.
“Many countries, especially in Africa, Asia, Latin America, are becoming, or have become, key players in determining the direction of the new world order. To put it simply, they have both agency and power. They are not only an expanding economic force, but their demographic growth is inexorable,” he said.
“This will also turn them into a political and cultural force. It will yield them both hard power and soft power, and they will use it to promote their interests, as they should,” he said.
Stubb has close ties to Trump and has played a key back-channel diplomatic role when it comes to aligning NATO interests with Trump’s amid Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Al-Sharaa promised a new chapter in Syria after detailing abuses, including the use of chemical weapons, under al-Assad: “We’ve suffered injustice and deprivation and oppression. Then we rose in claiming our dignity.”
He said his government was working to prevent devolution into sectarian violence while touting efforts to achieve justice and equality, including by letting in UN fact-finding missions.
He condemned continued Israeli strikes on Syria but said his government remains committed to dialogue.He called for the complete lifting of sanctions on Syria.
