Istanbul, Feb. 12 (SANA) Transport Minister Yarub Badr affirmed that 2026 will mark the beginning of comprehensive recovery for Syria’s transport sector, stating that Syria’s participation in the Second Conference of Transport Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), currently held in Istanbul, Türkiye, signals an active return to its Arab and Islamic surroundings.
In a speech delivered at the conference today, as Syria’s first post-liberation participation, Badr described the move as carrying a clear message that the country is entering a new phase of reconstruction and regional cooperation. He stressed that the transport sector ranks among the government’s top priorities, given the extensive damage sustained by infrastructure after years of neglect and deterioration affecting roads, railways and bridges.
The minister noted that 2025 represented a phase of “wound-binding” for the sector, during which emergency solutions were implemented on priority basis and efforts were made to enhance staff efficiency despite administrative challenges and shortages in expertise. He added that the ministry has prepared a clear roadmap for rehabilitation.
Badr announced that 2026 will witness the launch of a national sustainable transport policy aligned with the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Transport 2026–2035. The policy will prioritize digital transformation and the integration of modern technologies in rebuilding infrastructure, in support of economic and social recovery.
The minister also declared Syria’s support for a proposal to establish an International Center for Sustainable Land Transport under the OIC umbrella, noting that such a center would help harmonize standards, facilitate cross-border transit, and advance economic integration among member states.
The second OIC conference of transport ministers under the theme “Strengthening Transport Connectivity to Deepen Fraternity among OIC Member States” was held in Istanbul, on Thursday. The senior officials meeting, preparatory to the second OICCTM, was held in Istanbul on Wednesday. Ministers and heads of delegation from OIC member states, OIC institutions, regional and international organizations participated at the conference.
