The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Mr. Geir O. Pedersen has been in Syria for the last weeks engaging the caretaker authorities and a broad spectrum of Syrians and following closely all developments on the ground.

In addition to his meeting with Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa on 20 January, he had two follow-up meetings with the caretaker Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani. He appreciated the substantive dialogue.

While in Syria, Special Envoy Pedersen met with a diverse range of Syrian representatives, groups and individuals from all parts of the country, involved in a full range of political, community, religious, and organizational activities. He extends his gratitude to all those Syrians with whom he was able to meet for sharing their perspectives at this critical time.

The Special Envoy was deeply struck by the shared conviction among all the Syrians he met that the success of Syria’s political transition is essential, and it cannot afford to fail. At the cornerstone of this, as he consistently heard from all Syrians he met, is the need for all Syrians to be genuinely protected, and for all Syrians to be fully included in shaping the future.

In this regard, the Special Envoy has welcomed the clear assurances repeatedly given by the caretaker leadership publicly and to him that the new Syria will be for all Syrians and built on inclusive and credible foundations. In this regard, he sensed a genuine convergence between the expectations of Syrians, commitments of the caretaker authorities, and key principles of Security Council resolution 2254 (2015).

Special Envoy Pedersen appreciates the undertaking he has received of close cooperation and consultation with the United Nations on all steps of a Syrian-led and owned transition. He looks forward to that and to working positively with the caretaker authorities. He will be closely following all political developments and the situation on the ground and will continue to update the Secretary-General and the Security Council in accordance with his mandate.

He will be participating in a number of international gatherings in the coming period and will thereafter be returning to Damascus.