Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Union is organizing and hosting in Brussels the eighth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.” This year, the conference will also witness a day of dialogue, with the participation of Syrian civil society, today, Tuesday, April 30, at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels. The European External Action Service said in a statement in Brussels that after more than thirteen years of conflict, the European Union remains committed to the Syrian people. This year's edition of the conference will double the efforts made to listen to Syrian voices in Syria, in the region and in the diaspora. The deteriorating situation in Syria and the region underscores the need to find a sustainable, peaceful solution, in line with Security Council Resolution 2254.
“A comprehensive political solution reached through the United Nations, and with the full support of all its members, remains the utmost necessity: the Syrian people must have the opportunity to live in dignity and peace. This is what the European Union is working for, standing by The Syrian people until this possibility is realized - no matter how far-fetched it may seem at times.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union, Vice-President of the European Commission, said: “This year, the conference will also witness a day of dialogue, with the participation of Syrian civil society, on April 30 at the headquarters of the European Parliament in Brussels; and a ministerial segment on May 27 at the headquarters of the Council of the European Union; in addition to To a number of side events and a dedicated cultural program.
With nearly 800 participants in attendance, the Brussels Conference has over the years become an invaluable opportunity to engage and deepen dialogue with Syrian civil society (from Syria, neighboring countries and the diaspora), key stakeholders in the UN and its agencies, EU Member States, and third countries. Representatives as well as international NGOs. This event reaffirms the international community's support for the Syrian people and for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy to reach a negotiated political solution to the conflict, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The Ministerial Conference also aims to mobilize vital financial support to mitigate the critical crisis. . The needs of Syrians and their host communities in neighboring countries, especially Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as Egypt and Iraq.
At the recently held Seventh Brussels Conference last June 2023, the international community pledged approximately 5.6 billion euros for the year 2023 and beyond, of which more than 3.8 billion euros were pledged by the European Union and its member states. The funding helps people in need inside Syria and in neighboring countries hosting Syrian refugees. The European Union and its Member States have been the largest donors supporting people in Syria and the region since the beginning of the crisis in 2011, mobilizing more than €30 billion overall.
The European Union will continue to mobilize all tools at its disposal to support a negotiated political solution in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254 and to help create the conditions for a better future for all Syrians.
On the day of the dialogue, the keynote speech will be delivered by Mr. Janez Lenarčić, European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), followed by Mr. Geert-Jan Koopman, Director General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, European Commission (DG NEAR), and then the results of the community consultations will be presented. Al-Madani, then a briefing, then the round table activities begin, including Round Table 1: Implementing Security Council Resolution No. 2254: The current situation and the way forward.
Moderator: Mr. Alessio Cappellani, Head of the Middle East Section - Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, European External Action Service (EEAS) Then the second round table: Making a tangible difference: investing in the health workforce in Syria Moderator: Dr. Ammar Sabouni, Executive Director of the Syria Development Center, then Round Table 3: Education in Emergencies: Barriers and Opportunities to Access to Education. Views from young people
Then a lunch break and then round tables (afternoon session) Round Table 4: Promoting the sustainability of basic services and livelihood opportunities for refugees and host communities in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon Moderator: Mr. Fadi Hlizo, CEO of Basma and Zaytouna Round Table 5: Humanitarian assistance and effective protection as a driver To support resilience and early recovery in the context of the protracted crisis in Syria and Moderator: Ms. Haya Al-Far, Protection Advisor, Oxfam and Round Table 6: Justice, Peace and the Right to the Truth: Addressing Cases of Missing Persons and Detainees as a Basic Condition for Future Reconciliation Moderator: Mr. Gijs Gerlag, Special Envoy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Syria
Then the closing session