United Nations, New York – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has announced the appointment of Italian diplomat Claudio Cordone as the new Deputy Special Envoy to Syria. Cordone’s appointment signals a renewed effort by the UN to address the ongoing crisis in the region.
According to a statement released by the UN, Cordone will assume his responsibilities as Deputy Special Envoy on January 1, 2026. He brings to the position over four decades of experience in international relations, human rights, and international humanitarian law.
Prior to this appointment, Cordone served as the Deputy Special Representative for Political Affairs and Electoral Assistance at the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) since 2022. His extensive background also includes a tenure as Director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in Lebanon (UNRWA) from 2017 to 2022.
Furthermore, Cordone held the position of Director of the Human Rights, Transitional Justice, and Rule of Law Division at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) from 2013 to 2017. Earlier in his career, he dedicated over 25 years to Amnesty International, serving in various capacities. He also served as Head of the Human Rights Office at the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Cordone’s vast experience across multiple UN missions and his long-standing commitment to human rights make him a valuable asset to the ongoing efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Syrian conflict. The UN hopes that his expertise will contribute to progress in the peace process and improve the humanitarian situation for the Syrian people.
