DAMASCUS: Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has received an invitation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to attend the United Nations climate summit, COP28, scheduled to take place in Dubai later this year, according to Syrian state media on Monday.
The invitation marks Assad’s first invitation to a global summit since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011, as the Arab world gradually embraces Damascus after a prolonged period of diplomatic isolation.
Abdul Hakeem al-Nuaimi, the Emirati charge d’affaires in Syria, presented Assad with the invitation from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan “to attend the COP28 climate conference,” as reported by the official news agency SANA.
Typically, heads of Western states that have imposed sanctions on Syria due to the civil war and maintain a stance against normalizing relations with Damascus attend the COP summits. Last year, US President Joe Biden and France’s Emmanuel Macron were among the attendees at the talks held in Egypt.
Despite the ongoing war, Assad has managed to retain power and regain lost territories with crucial support from Iran and Russia. This month, the Arab League officially welcomed back Damascus after its suspension of over a decade due to its harsh crackdown on protests, which eventually escalated into a conflict claiming the lives of over 500,000 people and displacing millions.
Assad has also been invited to an Arab summit in Saudi Arabia scheduled for Friday, further demonstrating the increasing regional engagement with Damascus. The UAE reestablished diplomatic ties with Syria in 2018 and has been at the forefront of efforts to reintegrate Damascus into the Arab fold.
Regional engagement with Syria
Regional engagement with Syria gained momentum following a deadly earthquake that struck both Syria and Turkey on February 6. This was followed by a significant reconciliation in March between Saudi Arabia and Iran, a key ally of the Assad regime.
However, despite the thawing of regional relations, Assad remains isolated on the international stage. The United States and the United Kingdom recently reiterated their opposition to establishing direct ties with Damascus.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that they would not be normalizing relations with Assad’s regime, while British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly expressed discomfort with the Arab League’s decision.
Assad’s participation in the COP28 summit and the growing acceptance of his presence at regional gatherings reflect the evolving dynamics in the Arab world. It underscores the delicate balance between addressing climate change concerns and engaging with a leader still regarded with skepticism by some Western powers.
The summit presents an opportunity for Assad to engage in multilateral discussions and potentially showcase Syria’s approach to addressing climate issues amid its ongoing challenges.
