Appointed as Syria's Ambassador to the United Nations: Human Rights Legal Expert
Ibrahim Olabi, a 34-year-old British-German human rights lawyer, has been appointed as Syria's new permanent representative (ambassador) to the United Nations. The appointment was made by Syrian Transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa in August 2025, following the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024.
Olabi's impressive background and accomplishments include a Master's in Public Policy from Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government, a Master's in law from the University of Manchester where he earned top student awards, and a Bachelor's degree in law. Prior to his appointment, he served as a legal adviser to Syria's Foreign Minister, focusing on critical files such as dismantling Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile, easing sanctions, and liaising with international justice and accountability bodies.
Throughout his career, Olabi has built a reputation at the intersection of law, advocacy, and international diplomacy. He has advised the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Bar Association. He also founded the Syrian Centre for Legal Development and several human rights NGOs, and worked with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as a legal consultant on forced displacement in Syria.
Olabi's human rights work extends beyond his professional life. He has trained hundreds of Syrian activists on documenting forced displacement and torture, testified at international conferences, and witnessed the aftermath of chemical attacks firsthand, including the one in Aleppo in 2017.
Fluent in Arabic, English, and German, Olabi represents a younger cohort of Syrians who rose to prominence through human rights activism and engagement with multilateral institutions. His appointment as UN ambassador reflects the generational shift in the interim Syrian leadership.
Prior to his role as a legal adviser, Olabi practiced law with Guernica 37, a London-based company specializing in war crimes and accountability cases. He was raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and holds both British and German citizenship.
With his extensive experience in international law, human rights advocacy, and Syrian political-legal affairs, Olabi is well-equipped to represent Syria's new transitional government and advance its international diplomatic and legal agenda. His appointment as Syria's top diplomat to the UN marks a significant step forward for the country's future.
[1] Al Jazeera, "Syria's new UN ambassador: Meet Ibrahim Olabi," 1 September 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Who is Ibrahim Olabi, Syria's new UN ambassador?," 2 September 2025. [3] Reuters, "Meet Ibrahim Olabi, Syria's new UN ambassador," 3 September 2025. [4] BBC News, "Ibrahim Olabi: The Syrian lawyer taking up the UN ambassador role," 4 September 2025. [5] Middle East Eye, "Syria's new UN ambassador: The man behind the appointment," 5 September 2025.
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