Damascus, Apr.7 (SANA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates on Tuesday hosted a joint workshop bringing together the Syrian government and the United Nations Country Team, with the participation of donor countries, diplomatic missions, civil society organizations, and the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, in a step aimed at enhancing cooperation to achieve sustainable development goals for the 2027–2030 period in Syria.
Head of the UN Cooperation Division at the Ministry’s Department of International Cooperation, Muhammad Bathish, stated that Syria has entered a new phase in which priority is given to enabling the return of displaced Syrians to their homes and ensuring dignified living conditions. He highlighted the significance of the “Syria Without Camps” initiative, launched by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, which aims to empower displaced persons to leave camps and return voluntarily and safely to their communities.
Bathish emphasized that international support during this phase constitutes a supportive lever for economic recovery, infrastructure rehabilitation, and public services, rather than a substitute for the role of the Syrian state or its sovereign responsibilities. He added that the government’s task at this stage is to lay the foundations for rebuilding Syria on principles of efficiency, justice, and self-reliance.
He further noted that amid the complexities of the transitional phase, the multiplicity of actors, and diverse funding and implementation patterns, there is a growing need for a governing framework that ensures coherence of interventions, protects national interests, enhances resource efficiency, and prevents the emergence of parallel tracks that could weaken public institutions.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, Nathalie Fustier, stated that the workshop represents a cornerstone for establishing a cooperation framework for 2027–2030, describing it as an opportunity to chart a new trajectory toward recovery and development in partnership with the Syrian government. She stressed the importance of joint efforts among the United Nations, civil society, and the government to initiate a new narrative about Syria centered on opportunity and success.
Fustier expressed her aspiration to support both the government and civil society in restoring normal and dignified life across Syria. She pointed out that the “Syria Without Camps” vision could serve as a key priority, as it enables a transition from humanitarian response to recovery and ultimately to development, provided it is implemented effectively. She also highlighted the importance of ensuring essential services for persons with disabilities, as well as women, girls, and youth.
Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh reiterated that priorities in Syria have undergone a fundamental shift after years of focusing on humanitarian response, now moving toward development and sustainability. He noted that the government’s vision aims to achieve a “Syria Without Camps” beyond 2027, reflecting the significant transformations witnessed in the country.
Al-Saleh added that the initiative aligns with sustainable development goals and contributes to creating a conducive environment for the return of displaced persons and refugees from neighboring countries. He called for aligning workshop outcomes with this vision and reinforcing cooperation between the Syrian government and UN agencies.
Earlier, the joint steering committee between Syria and the United Nations held a meeting on February 15, chaired by Director of International Cooperation at the Ministry, Qutaiba Qaddish, and UN Coordinator Nathalie Fustier, to discuss evolving needs, national recovery priorities, and opportunities to scale up early recovery and development programs in preparation for the upcoming UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
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