On Thursday 15 March, the European Union is organising the 7th conference on Syria, entitled ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’.
While all eyes are on Ukraine and Sudan, the aim of the conference is to continue to mobilise the international community around the plight of the Syrians.
“The Syrian crisis must not be forgotten from a political point of view, but also from a humanitarian one”, said a senior European official on Monday 12 June. Another senior official felt that the conference could help to keep the Syrian crisis on the agenda of the EU and the international community, acknowledging that it was complicated to maintain the same level of commitment since 12 years ago and the start of the crisis.
In concrete terms, the aim of the ministerial conference is to express the support of the EU and the international community for a comprehensive and credible political solution to the Syrian conflict, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
According to a European source, the conference will also be an opportunity to look at long-term policy and the regional consequences of the crisis, including the role played by Syria's neighbours.
After a political opening session with speeches by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, as well as representatives of the countries in the region hosting large numbers of refugees (Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey), two sessions of pledges of financial support were organised. Indeed, according to one European official, one of the highlights of the conference will be the pledges of financial aid to the Syrian population and to host communities in neighbouring countries. “The Syrian crisis is getting worse by the day”, warned his colleague. Fifteen million Syrians need humanitarian aid.
By 2022, the international community had pledged €6.4 billion in donations (US$6.7 billion), including €4.1 billion for the current year (US$4.3 billion) and €2.3 billion (US$2.4 billion) for 2023 and beyond. A further €1.7 billion ($1.8 billion) was added in subsidised loans from financial institutions (see EUROPE 12949/11).
According to one official, 90 delegations have confirmed that they will attend the conference.
The day before, between 800 and 900 members of civil society, including Syrian civil society, and international organisations will meet in Brussels to discuss ‘regional perspectives on civil society consultations’, responses to basic needs, access to basic services and early recovery in the Syrian context, the development of opportunities at local level (‘strengthening and protecting local leadership’) and finally the promotion of justice and accountability, with a review of the efforts made by civil society, international organisations and national jurisdictions and the way forward. The results of their discussions will be presented at the ministerial meeting on the 15th. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)