Syrian President Arrives in New York City to Attend UN General Assembly Meeting

A former leader of the al-Qaeda terrorist group, Ahmed al-Sharaa will be the first Syrian head of state to address the assembly since 1967.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa at a news conference in Ankara, Turkey, on Feb. 4, 2025. Anadolu Agency/Reuters

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in New York City on Sept. 22 to attend a high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

Al-Sharaa, who was named Syria’s interim president earlier in 2025, will be the first Syrian leader to take part in a General Assembly meeting since 1967.