Brussels, Belgium, June 16, 2023 — The Brussels VII conference on Syria, held on 14 and 15 June, brought together international donors, humanitarian organizations, and representatives from the Syrian government and civil society. The discussions centered around the urgent need for increased funding to address the humanitarian crisis in Syria, with a particular focus on the provision of essential services, support for refugees, and stabilization efforts. The conference resulted in significant pledges from participating countries, reaffirming their commitment to supporting the Syrian people and fostering long-term stability in the region.
Ambassador Marc Otte, President of the BIC, attended the conference and actively engaged in discussions with high-level representatives. During the conference BIC’s President highlighted:
“In light of the lack of progress in the political process under UN mediation and the impact of the earthquakes, we are placing a special emphasis on the early recovery and resilience of civil society. It is crucial to provide direct funding to civil society groups, including SMSEs, based on their own projects. This highlights the significance of redefining assistance schemes based on regionally owned concepts.”
BIC's President also put emphasis on certain points of contention discussed during the conference, such as the situation for refugees in some host countries that have become increasingly unstable. According to Amb Marc Otte, if the situation continues as it is this will lead to “pressures for premature return despite the absence of safe and dignified conditions. Additionally, global underfunding is a significant concern that may further destabilize the region, impacting health care, education, and the prevalence of gender violence against women and girls.” Finally, BIC’s President argued that the potential return of Syria to the Arab League presented an opportunity for increased Arab involvement in the pursuit of a political solution.
On this year’s pledges Fernando Aguiar, BIC’s Senior Advisor, said: “Although we welcome the pledges made, including substantial commitments from the EU, US, and Germany, the total amount of €5.6 billion falls significantly short of addressing the rapidly increasing level of needs in Syria and the surrounding region. The EU should capitalize on this opportunity to mobilize donors and encourage them to increase funding for Syria and neighbouring countries, while facilitating and supporting local-owned humanitarian initiatives.”