Syrian President scrolls Instagram Reels as Erdogan speaks at UNGA

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa was filmed scrolling through Instagram Reels on his smartphone as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the UN General Assembly (UNGA), in footage that quickly drew attention during the high-level debate.

The candid clip showed al-Sharaa casually using his phone, scrolling and sharing Reels, while Erdogan spoke from the podium, according to a report by Kurdistan 24.

It marked al-Sharaa’s second appearance at the UNGA’s annual general debate, after he became the first Syrian representative to address world leaders at the assembly in nearly 60 years in 2025.

Al-Sharaa assumed Syria’s interim presidency in January 2025 after leading a rebel offensive that toppled long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad.

On Tuesday, nearly 130 heads of state and government, including US President Donald Trump, took the podium as the high-level general debate of the annual UN General Assembly opened.

The debate is the centrepiece of the UNGA’s annual session, which began on September 8 when Bangladesh’s Khalilur Rahman took office as assembly president.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the session by presenting his annual report and delivering what is expected to be his final address in the role, before UNGA President Khalilur Rahman formally opened the general debate.