On Monday 17 March, the ninth conference on Syria will bring together ministers and representatives from EU Member States, Arab countries, Syria’s neighbours, partner countries, in particular the United States, and international organisations to discuss political, humanitarian and economic support for Syria.
The atmosphere at this year’s event is different from that of previous years, with the fall of the El Assad regime. For the very first time, a Syrian representative will be taking part in the meeting, in the person of the acting Syrian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The country’s needs remain enormous, as the title of the conference sums up: ‘Standing with Syria: Meeting the Needs for a Successful Transition’. “We wanted to hold the conference earlier than in previous years, but the Syrians need to know that we are there right away”, added the official.
The ministers will therefore be looking at the support to be provided and the best ways it can be coordinated. “There is hope, but the situation is extremely fragile and complex”, summed up a senior European official, adding that the message to the Syrian authorities was to commit to an inclusive and peaceful transition. The Brussels conference will continue the international community’s previous efforts stemming from the Aqaba, Riyadh and Paris meetings. “It’s important to have a common view”, he added.
The members of the international community will then look at economic support for the country, including humanitarian aid. As in previous years, they are expected to pledge financial support to Syria and neighbouring countries hosting millions of refugees. The country is facing enormous difficulties, particularly in the supply of electricity and water. “We have not financed many activities inside the country, because reconstruction was not our objective [under Assad, ed.]. Today, the situation is changing: we need access to basic services, water, health and education, and we need to create jobs”, explained another senior European official.
Even if US support is not guaranteed, a senior European official hoped that the conference would result in financial pledges similar to last year’s figure of €7.5 billion (including €3.8 billion from the EU and Member States).
The day after the ministerial meeting, a high-level workshop will be organised by the European Commission on ‘How to ensure coordinated international support for Syria’s socio-economic recovery’. Building on the ministerial discussion, “this workshop will be an opportunity to continue and deepen exchanges on socio-economic recovery in Syria, including the main challenges and their implications for stabilisation efforts and potential job creation”, according to the European External Action Service.
While traditionally an event with Syrian civil society is organised in parallel with the ministerial conference, this event will be held later in the year in Damascus. However, six members of civil society will be taking part in the ministerial event, one of whom has even been invited to speak. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)