UPDATE - Syrian president urges investment in green recovery during COP30 speech

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By Rania Abu Shamala and Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa called Thursday for international investment in renewable energy and sustainable urban development in Syria, emphasizing his country’s commitment to reconstruction aligned with global climate goals.

Speaking at the UN Climate Conference (COP30) leaders’ summit in Belem, Brazil, Sharaa said Syria has faced “complex environmental challenges in recent years, whose effects have accumulated on both people and resources,” worsened by conflict and large-scale displacement that placed “additional pressure on already strained resources.”

He noted that Syria suffered its worst drought in more than six decades this year, describing it as proof of the “peak” of climate change impacts on the country.

“Our ambitious vision is reflected in our reconstruction and recovery plans, which we have begun implementing and translating into practical policies, programs and projects,” the president said.

“That is why we invite you to invest in Syria -- in sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable green cities, and pioneering investment projects that are protected, supported, and guaranteed by the state.”

Sharaa reaffirmed Syria’s full commitment to international agreements, foremost among them the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, pledging to submit his country’s updated contributions in line with global standards.

“We don’t seek to revive our cities merely by rebuilding them, but by restoring our connection to the land and establishing integrated systems,” he added.

Quoting the Quranic verse, “We created from water every living thing,” he emphasized that environmental care must guide reconstruction efforts.

“Humanity’s relationship with nature is a moral one -- the more you respect and protect it, the more it gives you from its bounty,” he said.

Sharaa recalled Prophet Muhammad’s teachings on conservation, noting that the Prophet “forbade cutting down trees, even in times of war,” and said, “Conserve water, even if you are on the banks of a flowing river.”

“Reconstructing the earth is a duty upon humankind,” he said, “but it must be done without transgressing against nature.”

He added that air, water, and trees are “shared resources for all humanity,” stressing that preserving them is a collective responsibility to ensure a sustainable and secure future.

The Syrian leader drew a symbolic link between the Amazon and Syria’s rivers, calling for “extending the bonds of cooperation from the Amazon to the Barada and Euphrates rivers” to strengthen solidarity among nations and promote the role of developing countries.

Sharaa met on Thursday with several participants attending the UN climate summit, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz. He also met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and World Bank Group President Ajay Banga.

Sharaa is the first Syrian president to attend a UN climate conference since the series began in 1995.

Following the summit, the Syrian leader is expected to travel to Washington to meet US President Donald Trump.

The COP30 summit brings together around 50,000 participants, including world leaders, scientists, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, to discuss global efforts to solve the climate crisis.