As the fighting intensified, the UN never stopped working behind the scenes to bring about a political solution that would deliver dignity, freedom and justice for the Syrian people.
Explosions in Aleppo, during the fall of the Bashar al-Assaf regime in December 2024
2024: A new era of hope and uncertainty
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres declared on Sunday, 8 December, that “the fall of the dictatorial regime” presents “an historic opportunity for Syrians to build a stable and peaceful future” but underlined that there is a great deal of work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions.
His Special Envoy, Norwegian diplomat Geir Pedersen – appointed to the role in October 2018 – has called for “urgent political talks” in Geneva to secure a peaceful future for Syria, and said that key players – including Iran, Russia, Türkiye and the US – have backed his appeal.
“This dark chapter has left deep scars,” Mr Pedersen told journalists on Sunday, “but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new one – one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians”.
Mr. Pedersen has also said nothing must stand in the way of a peaceful transition. With de facto authorities including the HTS which spearheaded the fall of Damascus present in parts of the country, he underlined that there are many other armed groups operating within Syria.
The situation is extremely fluid and the Special Envoy underlined in his closed door briefing to the Security Council on 9 December: “There is a real opportunity for change, but this opportunity needs to be grasped by the Syrians themselves and supported by the UN and the international community.”