Syrian president, UN chief discuss humanitarian cooperation in Damascus VIDEO/UPDATED

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres in Damascus on July 25 to discuss expanding cooperation in humanitarian and development efforts, including support for Syria's early recovery and reconstruction.

The talks, held at the People's Palace (Qasr al-Sha'ab) on Mount Qasioun, focused on strengthening cooperation between Syria and the United Nations in humanitarian and development fields, according to Syrian authorities, Caliber.Az reports via SANA.

The two sides also underscored the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and several other officials attended the meeting alongside the UN delegation.

No statements were issued by either side following the talks.

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Damascus on July 25 for an official visit that includes meetings with senior Syrian officials and a visit to the UN peacekeeping mission monitoring the ceasefire between Syria and Israel.

Guterres was welcomed at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Hassan al-Shaibani, SANA reports.

According to Syrian officials, the visit is expected to lay the groundwork for expanding United Nations programmes in Syria, with a focus on education, healthcare, energy, water supply, agriculture, environmental protection, and digital transformation. The initiatives are intended to support the country's post-war recovery and long-term sustainable development.

The visit marks the first trip by a UN secretary-general to Damascus since 2009. The last UN chief to visit Syria was Ban Ki-moon.

As part of his itinerary, Guterres is also scheduled to travel to Quneitra to visit the headquarters of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). The peacekeeping mission was established in 1974 to supervise the ceasefire and disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.

By Sabina Mammadli