Press Releases

The Secretary-General is encouraged that the Syrians, who have accepted the United Nations invitation to be in Geneva in the context of the resumption of the intra-Syrian talks, sat together in the same room today. He commends the work of his Special Envoy in bringing this about and for resuming the…

The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to ensure a successful confirmation of arrangements for the convening of intra-Syrian negotiations in Geneva. We can confirm that letters have been sent today, and also that consultations are…

Last week, the Special Envoy for Syria appealed for a humanitarian pause of at least 48 hours to deliver United Nations humanitarian aid to Aleppo. He welcomed the response of the Russian Federation to support this proposal. Since then, the UN developed an Aleppo emergency response plan and conveyed…

Geneva, 26 August 2016 - The situation regarding Darayya is extremely grave. It is tragic that repeated appeals to lift the siege of Darayya, besieged since November 2012, and cease the fighting, have never been heeded. The Special Envoy has been made aware overnight of an agreement to evacuate…

Arabic version Geneva (19 August 2016) - On 11 August, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, made a particular appeal for the medical the evacuation of people with urgent needs from the besieged towns of Fouah and Madaya. Today, Mr. de Mistura, therefore welcomes the…

Arabic version Geneva ( 18 August 2016) - The Special Envoy for Syria, this morning, cut short the regular International Syria Support Group (ISSG) Humanitarian Taskforce meeting, and made, on behalf of the Secretary-General, a strong appeal for a pause of at least 48-hours to deliver UN…

Arabic Version Geneva (7 July 2017) - The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, extends his wishes to the Syrian people on the occasion of Eid el-Fitr. Mr. de Mistura also welcomes all efforts, including by the International Syria Support Group co-chairs through their joint…

The Secretary-General condemns the abhorrent attack carried out on 12 June in Idlib city, Syria, which hit a vegetable market and the only bakery in the area. The apparent air strike took place while a ceasefire stipulated in the Four Towns Agreement, which covers Idlib city, had reportedly been…

Following the joint press stake-out earlier today in Geneva between the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Mr. Staffan de Mistura and Senior Advisor, Jan Egeland, the Special Envoy briefed the Security Council on the current situation in Syria. This was his first briefing to the Council since the…

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attacks in Jableh and Tartous, Syria, on 23 May, for which Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) claimed responsibility, during which more than a hundred people were killed and injured…