Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will travel to New York on 21 September for a four-day official visit to attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly and deliver Syria's address to world leaders. Al-Sharaa is also expected to hold political meetings and participate in events on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
According to sources cited by Syria's official Al-Thawra newspaper, his programme includes a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 22 September to discuss several shared issues.
His meeting with Rubio is expected to cover Syrian-US relations as well as political, economic and security issues of mutual interest, as ties between Damascus and Washington continue on a path of renewed engagement and openness.
The Syrian president will also take part that day in a dialogue organised by the Atlantic Council in New York on Syria's future, reconstruction, economic recovery and regional role.
The Atlantic Council said on its website that its dialogue with Sharaa would address his vision for Syria's future and his government's priorities for reconstruction, economic recovery and institutional reform. It would also cover developments in Syrian-US relations, efforts to strengthen state institutions and Syria's continued regional reintegration.
Sharaa is scheduled to deliver Syria's address during the General Assembly's general debate on 23 September, alongside more than 150 heads of state and government taking part in the session.
Syria's priorities
Sharaa is also expected to use his participation in the General Assembly and bilateral meetings to raise issues that are a priority for Damascus, including developments in southern Syria and Israeli attacks and interventions.
Reconstruction, economic recovery, investment and strengthening Syria's international relations are also expected to feature during the visit.
Syrian political activist Ayman Abdel Nour told The New Arab that Syria's repeated participation in UN meetings provides an opportunity to raise Syrian issues internationally and strengthen coordination with the US administration.
He described the visit as important because it occurs at the centre of the annual global political event, noting that Sharaa's General Assembly session is scheduled for the morning, when delegations are active and media coverage is stronger.
Abdel Nour said the president's programme also includes media meetings, visits to research centres and meetings with members of the Syrian diaspora.
Al-Sharaa is also expected to attend a general meeting of heads of delegations with US President Donald Trump, with a brief meeting between the two presidents possible on the sidelines, as happened last year.
The Syrian president is also scheduled to meet between five and 12 heads of participating delegations, Abdel Nour estimated, providing an opportunity to strengthen relations with those countries.
Second consecutive year
Sharaa's participation in the General Assembly this year carries particular significance as it marks his second consecutive appearance, following his participation in the 80th session in September 2025.
He was the first Syrian president to attend the General Assembly since 1967.
During his previous participation, Sharaa held a series of meetings with leaders and officials, including Trump. He also used the General Assembly platform to outline his vision for Syria's new phase, call for sanctions to be lifted, and urge support for reconstruction and greater international engagement.
The UN General Assembly's 81st regular session opened on 8 September, with the general debate scheduled to begin on 22 September. It will bring together leaders, heads of government and delegations from member states.
The session will address a wide range of international issues, including sustainable development, climate change, a just transition, rising sea levels, the right to development, economic inequalities, financing and debt, as well as pandemic prevention and health emergency preparedness.
The meetings will also address human rights, combating racism and nuclear disarmament, alongside challenges linked to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
Sharaa's participation comes as Damascus seeks to consolidate its international presence and expand its political and economic relations following a series of diplomatic moves aimed at ending its international isolation and strengthening ties with Arab, regional and international states.