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The announcement occurs as Syria commemorates 14 years since peaceful protests were met with severe repression, igniting a conflict that has led to the displacement of millions and left extensive devastation across the country.
While the initial fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 sparked optimism for a stable future, ongoing violence now threatens to undo these fragile advancements.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has denounced the recent reports of civilian deaths, asserting that “nothing can justify the killing of civilians.”
A Syrian-led transition
Mr. Pedersen has reiterated that the political process remains firmly in the hands of the Syrians, affirming it is “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned,” even as the UN provides necessary guidance.
In a recent press briefing in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted the UN’s readiness to assist in creating an inclusive political transition that fosters accountability and facilitates national healing.
Furthermore, Mr. Guterres remarked that “the caretaker authorities have repeatedly pledged to construct a new Syria founded on inclusive and credible principles for all citizens. Now is the moment for decisive action.”
Reconstruction challenges
Despite some political advancements, the humanitarian landscape remains exceedingly dire.
According to an opinion piece by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi published in the French newspaper Le Monde, “the scale of destruction is unimaginable.”
He emphasized that nothing was immune from the devastation, affecting everything from homes to water treatment infrastructure. Mr. Grandi cautioned that “if we ignore Syria’s immediate humanitarian needs, the social and political divisions will only deepens further.”
A recent UNHCR survey revealed that 27 per cent of Syrian refugees now express a desire to return home within the coming year, a significant increase from only two percent before the regime’s transition.
Nonetheless, major concerns regarding safety, the political climate, and the absence of basic necessities pose ongoing challenges to sustainable repatriation efforts.
Accountability: The path forward
While the Constitutional Declaration lays out a framework for the transition, Mr. Pedersen emphasized that success hinges on its genuine enactment.
For now, the UN remains poised to offer assistance, but officials warn that the forthcoming months will be crucial in shaping Syria’s trajectory toward lasting peace or deeper turmoil.
“We must ensure that Syria moves out from the abyss of conflict into a future characterized by dignity and the rule of law, where every voice is heard and no community is excluded,” stated the UN chief.
Source
news.un.org