Damascus, Jan. 4 (SANA) The Aga Khan Development Network continues its activities in Syria through service and development projects that place sustainable development at the heart of its strategy.
The total value of its projects in Syria over the past 25 years exceeded $320 million, including $36 million in 2025 alone, allocated to development and humanitarian initiatives across various sectors and regions, aimed at improving lives without discrimination, Resident Representative of the network in Syria, Ghutfan Ajoub, told SANA on Sunday.
New Projects in 2026 and 2027
Ajoub revealed that the network has pledged new projects worth more than €100 million during 2026 and 2027, under the guidance of Prince Rahim Aga Khan V. He stressed the network’s deep commitment to the Syrian people through programmes that combine immediate humanitarian response with long-term community capacity building.
Network Agencies in Syria
The network operates in Syria through five specialised agencies: the Aga Khan Foundation, Aga Khan Cultural Services, Aga Khan Health Services, the Microfinance Bank, and Aga Khan Education Services.
Ajoub added that starting in 2026, two new institutions affiliated with the network will begin operations in Syria. One will focus on industrial services, launching small-scale industrial projects and renewable energy initiatives, including a 10-megawatt solar power project. The other, dedicated to accelerating prosperity, will function as a business incubator offering training, grants, and subsidised loans to support entrepreneurs.
AI Training Programmes
Ajoub noted that the network is launching training programmes, supported by Aga Khan University and the University of Central Asia, focused on artificial intelligence, computer programming, and English language skills. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical education and market demands while aligning with international curricula.
Restoration of Aleppo’s Old Markets
Ajoub said the network will continue in 2026 the restoration of Aleppo’s historic markets. It is also expanding an agricultural development programme involving more than 40 cooperatives in Aleppo alone, alongside plans to rehabilitate livestock sectors in rural areas of Aleppo, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Sweida, Tartous, and Idleb, in partnership with European collaborators.
Projects in Water, Agriculture, and Health
Ajoub highlighted ongoing projects in Idleb, Hama, Homs, Tartous, Lattakia, and Sweida, covering water, health, agriculture, and solar energy, including cooperatives for electricity production. Plans also include establishing a school and a hospital with a nursing faculty in Damascus.
Contributions Through Provincial Donation Campaigns
Ajoub confirmed the network’s continued support for local communities through recent fundraising campaigns. Commitments included $15 million for Hama, $5 million for Aleppo, $1.5 million for Idlib, and $1 million for Sweida.
He emphasized that the network regards rural women as a cornerstone of sustainable development, working to provide training, technical assistance, and financial support to enable them to establish small businesses, join agricultural cooperatives, and improve livelihoods for their families and communities.
Partnership with the Syrian Government
Ajoub stressed that partnership with the Syrian government is a cornerstone of the network’s work, noting that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides all necessary support and facilitation, reflecting the state’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that benefit the Syrian people.
The Aga Khan Development Network was established in 1967. Today, it operates in more than 30 countries through specialized agencies, employs over 90,000 people worldwide, and manages more than 1,000 programmes and institutions, making it one of the largest non-governmental networks globally in terms of scale and impact.
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