Timeline
29 January 2016
Geneva III refers to the third major round of United Nations-mediated talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war, convened in Geneva beginning under UN Spec…
18 December 2015
Geneva III was framed by UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (adopted ), which endorsed a roadmap including a ceasefire, a new constitution, and UN-supervise…
3 February 2016
The round was paused on , only days after opening, as a Russian-backed government offensive around Aleppo intensified and the opposition refused to continue…
Positions at a glance
Supporters
Geneva III was framed by UN Security Council Resolution 2254 (adopted 18 December 2015), which endorsed a roadmap including a ceasefire, a new constitution, and UN-supervised elections within an 18-month timeline, alongside the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) process led by the United States and Russia.
Opponents
The talks brought together representatives of the Syrian government, headed by Bashar Ja'afari, and an opposition delegation coordinated largely through the Riyadh-based High Negotiations Committee (HNC). De Mistura used a "proximity talks" format, shuttling between delegations housed in separate rooms rather than seating them face-to-face. Core sticking points included:
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In February 2016, UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura suspended the Geneva III talks after the Syrian opposition delegation refused to continue while government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, advanced on Aleppo.
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