UN Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, Announces His Resignation

The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, announced today, Thursday, his resignation after more than six and a half years in the position, citing “personal reasons” for his decision.

During a session of the UN Security Council on Syria, Pedersen said: “I have informed the Secretary-General of my intention to step down after more than six and a half years as the UN Special Envoy to Syria, and he has accepted my request.” He noted that he had intended to resign some time ago but continued his mission due to the “rapid and significant developments” in the Syrian file.

Pedersen, 69, was appointed UN envoy to Syria in 2018, succeeding Staffan de Mistura, seven years after the conflict began. He was tasked with activating the political solution process according to UN Security Council Resolution 2254. However, his efforts, like those of his predecessors, faced repeated setbacks amid deep divisions among Syrian parties and international tensions.

In his speech to the council, Pedersen emphasized that the Syrian people “deserve a new beginning,” saying: “There is today a new dawn for the Syrian people, and we must ensure that this turns into a bright day. They deserve that very much,” praising the Syrians’ ability to endure despite years of war and suffering.

He affirmed that the success of the political process in Syria requires broad international support that ensures the participation of all Syrians in shaping their future, considering that “progress seemed impossible for a very long time, until it suddenly came.”