Syria’s al-Sharaa pledges commitment to climate goals at COP30 – Al Jazeera

Syria’s Re-engagement with Global Climate and Development Agendas

Commitment to SDG 13: Climate Action at COP30

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa participated in the United Nations COP30 summit in Brazil, signaling a significant step in the nation’s reintegration into the international community. This action directly addresses Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action).

• President al-Sharaa affirmed Syria’s full commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• He highlighted the severe impact of climate change on Syria, referencing a drought unprecedented in over six decades, underscoring the nation’s vulnerability and the urgency of global climate action.

Fostering SDG 7 and SDG 9 through Reconstruction

In his address, the President outlined a vision for national recovery that integrates key sustainable development principles, focusing on post-conflict reconstruction aligned with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• A formal invitation was extended for international investment in Syria’s renewable energy sector.
• These investments are positioned as a core component of the country’s “ambitious” plans for reconstruction following the 14-year civil war that concluded with the end of the al-Assad government in December 2024.

Diplomatic Developments and Alignment with SDG 16 and SDG 17

Strengthening Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

President al-Sharaa’s diplomatic activities underscore a strategic focus on rebuilding international relationships, a cornerstone of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• He issued a call for enhanced international cooperation, specifically mentioning strengthening “bonds of cooperation from the Amazon to the Barada and Euphrates rivers.”
• A meeting with United States President Donald Trump is scheduled in Washington, following the COP30 summit.
• Syria is also expected to join the US-led anti-ISIL (ISIS) coalition, which US special envoy Tom Barrack described as a “remarkable” development.

Progress Towards Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

Recent international actions reflect a global acknowledgment of Syria’s new leadership and contribute to the objectives of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by dismantling barriers to the nation’s recovery and stability.

1. The UN Security Council, with support from the United States, passed a resolution to remove sanctions previously imposed on President al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab.
2. The resolution also lifts a corresponding assets freeze and arms embargo.
3. This follows President al-Sharaa’s historic address to the UN General Assembly in September, the first by a Syrian head of state in nearly 60 years, where he advocated for the removal of all sanctions against his country.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article’s central theme is Syria’s participation in the UN COP30 summit in Brazil. The Syrian President pledges his “commitment to global efforts to limit climate change” and acknowledges the urgency of the issue, specifically mentioning how climate change has “hit Syria hard this year with ‘a drought unlike any it has seen in over six decades’.”
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The Syrian President explicitly “invited investments in renewable energy as part of his country’s ‘ambitious’ plans for reconstruction and recovery.” This directly connects to the goal of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article details Syria’s emergence from a “14-year civil war” that ended the “al-Assad family’s 53-year reign.” The lifting of UN sanctions and the country’s return to the “international fold” signify steps towards peace, stability, and reintegration into global governance institutions.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights renewed international cooperation. The Syrian President’s presence at an international summit, his call to “strengthen bonds of cooperation,” the UN Security Council’s vote to “remove sanctions,” and upcoming talks with the US President all point to the revitalization of global partnerships for sustainable development.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article mentions that Syria was hit hard by “a drought unlike any it has seen in over six decades.” This severe drought is a direct impact of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, relating to the goal of combating desertification and halting land degradation.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 13 (Climate Action):
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. This is demonstrated by the President’s pledge at COP30 and his statement that Syria is “fully on board with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. The acknowledgment of the severe drought implies a need to build resilience against such events, which is a core part of this target.
2. Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):
   • Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. This is directly addressed by the President’s invitation for “investments in renewable energy” as part of reconstruction.
   • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The “ambitious” plans for renewable energy in Syria contribute to this global target.
3. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The end of the “14-year civil war” is a direct and significant step toward achieving this target in Syria.
   • Target 16.8: Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance. Syria’s return to the international stage, marked by the President’s attendance at the “annual UNGA gathering” and the COP30 summit, exemplifies this target.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The President’s call to strengthen “bonds of cooperation from the Amazon to the Barada and Euphrates rivers, within a framework of strong inter-state collaboration” directly reflects the aim of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Participation in International Agreements and Forums:
   • An indicator of progress is Syria’s active participation in global climate governance. The article states the President attended the “UN COP30 summit” and affirmed commitment to the “United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”
2. Removal of Sanctions:
   • The “UN Security Council voted to remove sanctions” is a concrete indicator of improved international relations and Syria’s reintegration into the global community, which is crucial for forming partnerships (SDG 17) and building strong institutions (SDG 16).
3. Promotion of Foreign Investment:
   • The public “invitation for investments in renewable energy” serves as an indicator of the country’s policy direction. Future progress could be measured by the actual flow of foreign direct investment into Syria’s clean energy sector.
4. Climate-Related Natural Disasters:
   • The mention of “a drought unlike any it has seen in over six decades” serves as a qualitative indicator of the increasing severity of climate-related hazards affecting the country, highlighting the urgency for action under SDG 13 and SDG 15.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aljazeera.com