Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 15, 2025. (Photo Sergey Bobylyov/Reuters)
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa set off on Wednesday for Brazil, a diplomatic source said, where he will attend the COP30 climate conference before meeting U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
It will be the interim president's first visit to Latin America since his coalition toppled long-time Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is hosting the COP30 summit on Thursday and Friday, with around 50 heads of state and government expected in the Amazonian city of Belem.
"Sharaa headed to Brazil, where he is expected to stay until Nov. 8 and participate in COP30, before heading to Washington," a Syrian diplomatic source told AFP on condition of anonymity.
Sharaa will be the first-ever Syrian head of state to visit the White House.
He previously traveled to New York in September, where he gave the first U.N. General Assembly speech by a Syrian president since 1967.
Trump will receive him on Nov. 10, the White House announced Tuesday.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said last week that Sharaa would discuss lifting remaining sanctions, reconstruction and counter-terrorism during his visit.
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