U.N. envoy says political inclusion, sanctions relief and talks with Kurdish forces are key to Syrian progress

U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen told a United Nations Security Council briefing in New York that political inclusiveness, changes to sanctions that hinder recovery and progress in talks with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast are the three main areas that would send a powerful message to Syrians and the international community.

"We need to see more inclusiveness on behalf of the government," Pedersen said, and he urged the international community to improve coordination on sanctions and humanitarian assistance.

Why it matters: Pedersen framed those three priorities as the immediate and practical steps that could create space for broader political progress in Syria and relieve humanitarian pressure. He said those advances would first signal hope to the Syrian people and then to neighboring states and international partners.

In his responses to reporters' questions, Pedersen…