Greece has called for stronger protections for Syria’s religious and ethnic communities, placing education and child safety at the centre of the country’s recovery as economic hardship, inter-communal tensions and ongoing security threats continue to complicate its political transition.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council, the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Claudio Cordone, stressed that economic recovery remains essential to the country’s transition and stability.
“Success will ultimately be measured by tangible improvements in people’s daily lives,” Cordone said, urging international partners to translate political support into funding, technical assistance and concrete projects.
On security, Cordone referred to continued Israeli military activities in southern Syria and reiterated the call to respect the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement of Forces. Regarding Sweida, he stressed that a sustainable solution requires dialogue among Syrians.
Greece’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Aglaia Balta, speaking in her national capacity, emphasised the need to protect all religious and ethnic communities, highlighting education and children’s security as central to Syria’s recovery.
“Education must be at the core of Syria’s recovery,” Balta said. She acknowledged steps taken by Syria’s new authorities but stressed that further concrete progress remains necessary, particularly in protecting the rights and security of all religious and ethnic communities.
Referring to recent violence in Suqaylabiyah and Homs, Balta described the incidents as a worrying reminder of fragile social cohesion and persistent security challenges. She also pointed to reports of renewed violence affecting, among others, the Orthodox Christian community.
“All Syrians must feel that they are genuinely represented, protected and included in the transition process,” she said.
Balta added that recovery cannot be sustainable without the trust of every community and without full respect for its security, rights and identity.
She welcomed the Syrian authorities’ commitment to work with the UN on a plan to end and prevent grave violations against children, calling for its swift adoption and implementation.
“Syria cannot afford to lose a generation of children,” Balta stressed. She also called for a review of recent guidelines and for equal, non-discriminatory access to higher education.
Millions Remain Displaced as Humanitarian Needs Persist
UN Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mohammed Yahya reported that more than 1.82 million refugees and 2.04 million internally displaced people had returned since December 2024.
However, more than 5.5 million people remain internally displaced, including 770,000 living in camps. Women and children account for three-quarters of those in the camps.
With winter approaching, inadequate shelter and heating pose serious risks to vulnerable populations.
Explosive remnants of war and other explosive devices have caused 2,500 deaths and injuries since December 2024, including more than 900 fatalities. Children account for one-third of those killed.
“Emergency assistance alone is not enough,” Yahya said, noting that the 2026 humanitarian response plan has received only 32 per cent of the funding it requires.
Millions of Children Still Face Barriers to Education
George Batta, founder of the Syrian Youth Empowerment initiative, said more than 2.7 million children remain out of school and approximately 8,000 schools are not operating.
Syria’s Ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, offered a more positive assessment of the country’s educational recovery, stating that nearly five million students had returned to school and approximately 4,000 schools had been restored.
Olabi called for investment in reconstruction, education and essential services.
The United States Ambassador to the UN, Tammy Bruce, urged Israel and Syria to de-escalate tensions, while Türkiye’s Ambassador, Ahmet Yildiz, highlighted the need to strengthen Syria’s security institutions against the threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh.
UN Outlines Progress on Elections and Chemical Weapons
The briefing also highlighted the start of discussions between the UN and Damascus on future elections and possible electoral assistance.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported its first verification of the destruction of 42 Syrian aerial bombs containing chemical munitions.
Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) completed its investigation into Syria’s nuclear non-compliance on 9 September.
The developments underscore the range of challenges facing Syria as the country pursues political transition, reconstruction and the restoration of essential services.
Kosta Papadopoulos
Kosta Papadopoulos is an editor at Greek City Times, covering Greek and international news, travel, sport, and entertainment.