IIMP Chief Updates on Cooperation and Challenges in Syria

United Nations

Sphinx News: Ahmed Ali

Addressing members of the international press, Karla Quintana, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic, briefs on the latest updates of the institutions logistical and formal progress.

On June 29th, 2023, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted Resolution 77/301, by which it established the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in the Syrian Arab Republic. On the 19th of December 2024 following the fall of the previous Syrian regime led by Bashar Al Asaad, Karla Quintana was appointed as the first Head of the
Independent Institution.

As the former National Commissioner for the Search of Missing Persons in Mexico (February 2019-August 2023) and well received legal and human rights scholar, Quintana took her up post on January 12th, 2025. The Independent Institution has since been tasked with the responsibility of working with the Syrian authority and other relevant actors to locate over 100,000 missing Syrians. Most Syrian’s as Quintana mentioned in her briefing today, “had been pronounced missing during the time of the previous administration.” 

In constant communication with the newly appointed Syrian authority and his excellency, incumbent Ahmed Al- Sharaa, Quintana revealed, “They (the Syrian authority) want to work with us.” She adds, “we have asked for an office (in the capital of Damascus), and made an official request.” Awaiting the response but maintaining steadfast their ongoing operation and cultivation of logistical information from all relevant parties (most notably families, hospitals, neighboring nation-states housing Syrian refugees, prisons, etc.), the independent commission remains “optimistic” on their formal request.

While the situation in Syria remains highly contentious and recent ethnic clashes circulate in the regions of Aleppo and Sweida, Quintana asserts the commitment of the independent commission to rescuing, “all Syrian people reported missing before the resolutions adoption in December of 2024, and after the resolutions adoption.”

In his address to the General Assembly during the UN’s high-level week and 80th anniversary, Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa made it abundantly clear that he intends to build a Syria rooted in hope and dignity for all its citizens. He underscored his growing support for the role of international institutions in shaping Syria’s political structure. With this, he signaled Syria’s aspiration to reintegrate as a capable and responsible member of the international community.

“Quintana stated that the IIMP remains in close contact with President Sharaa’s administration, close to signing an MOU (memorandum of understanding). Her upcoming visit to Damascus next week is met with optimism that the Syrian administration will provide the key assistance and structural support needed to undertake this large-scale effort. The support needed, Quintana mentions are: technical support, financial aid, data sharing, local backing, and major fixes in the institutions “structural framework.”