Press Releases

During Thursday’s Humanitarian Task Force meeting, we heard firsthand reporting from our UN colleagues based in the region about the increasingly horrific brutality in recent weeks by all parties involved in the de-escalation area in northwestern Syria, which has caused significant civilian…

Today, on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, met with the Women’s Advisory Board (WAB) in Geneva. The Women’s Advisory Board, comprised of diverse women from civil society, is an independent source of expertise and advice for the Special…

UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura held consultations with the Foreign Ministers of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey in Geneva today. These consultations were a key part of the Special Envoy’s intensive effort at the request of the Secretary…

The efforts to establish a constitutional committee have been the subject of continuing consultations. In this context, Special Envoy de Mistura anticipates hosting high-level representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey in Geneva early next week…

Arabic version Russian version Special Envoy de Mistura appreciates the work done at the Astana meeting by the three guarantors -- the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Turkey -- to ensure that the Idlib de-escalation arrangements are sustained. He is very grateful…

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Geir O. Pedersen of Norway as his Special Envoy for Syria. The Secretary-General takes this opportunity to reiterate his deepest gratitude to Staffan de Mistura of Italy for his concerted efforts and contributions…

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the growing risks of a humanitarian catastrophe in the event of a full-scale military operation in Idlib province in Syria. The Secretary-General once again reaffirms that any use of chemical weapons is totally unacceptable. The Secretary-General…

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the resumption of the military offensive in southwest Syria and its continued devastating impact on civilians. An estimated 750,000 lives are in danger and up to 325,000 people have been displaced. The Secretary-General fully supports today’s statement…

The Secretary-General is deeply alarmed by the military offensive in southwestern Syria and its devastating toll on civilians. He calls for an immediate cessation of the military operations. The Secretary-General recalls that the southwest area of Syria is part of a de-escalation agreement agreed…

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned by the recent military escalation, including ground offensives and aerial bombardments, in southwestern Syria. The attacks have resulted in the displacement of thousands of civilians, the majority of whom are moving towards the Jordanian border. The…