Supporting the future of Syria and the region
This Spring, the European Union will organise and host in Brussels the eighth Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region”.
After over thirteen years of conflict, the EU remains committed to the Syrian people. This year’s edition of the Conference will redouble efforts to listen to Syrian voices, in Syria, in the region and from the diaspora. The dire situation in Syria and in the region only confirms the need to find a sustainable, peaceful solution, in line with UNSCR 2254.
“A comprehensive political solution brokered through the UN, and enjoying the full support of all its members, remains the ultimate imperative: the Syrian people must get a chance to live in dignity and peace. That is what the EU is working for, standing with the Syrian people until that prospect – however distant it may sometimes appear – will be fulfilled.”
Josep Borrell, EU High Representative, Vice-President of the European Commission
This year again, the Conference will feature a Day of Dialogue, engaging with Syrian civil society, on 30 April in the premises of the European Parliament in Brussels; and a Ministerial Segment on 27 May in the premises of the EU Council; as well as a number of side events and a dedicated cultural programme.
With nearly 800 participants attending, the Brussels Conference has become over the years an invaluable opportunity to engage and deepen dialogue with Syrian civil society (from Syria, the neighbouring countries and the diaspora), main UN stakeholders and agencies, EU Member States, third countries representatives as well as international NGOs. The event reaffirms the international community’s support to the Syrian people and to the UN Special Envoy’s efforts for a negotiated political solution to the conflict, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The Ministerial Conference also aims at mobilising vital financial support to alleviate the crucial needs of Syrians and their host communities in neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, as well as Egypt and Iraq.
At the Brussels VII Conference held last June 2023, the international community pledged close to €5.6 billion for 2023 and beyond, of which over €3.8 billion pledged by the EU and its Member States. The funding helps people in need inside Syria and in neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees. The EU and its Member States have been the largest donors supporting people in Syria and the region since the beginning of the crisis in 2011, mobilising over €30 billion overall.
The European Union will continue mobilising all the 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.
Day of Dialogue
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AGENDA |
To start the streaming of the Day of Dialogue, please click on the title of the session you wish to follow. You can choose your preferred language of interpretation from English, French, Arabic, and Turkish by selecting the corresponding option. Once the session ends, kindly return to the agenda of the Day of Dialogue on this webpage and click on the title of the next session to continue streaming. We invite you to ask questions via Slido by clicking on this link or by using the following reference on the Slido App: SyriaConf2024. After accessing the event on Slido, please start by selecting the roundtable discussion that you are following. In case you switch to a different session on the livestream, do not forget to also select the correct corresponding roundtable discussion on Slido if you wish to ask any questions. Any technical issues during the livestream? Please write to FMBBrussels@pomilio.com.
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07:30 – 09:00 |
Arrival and accreditation |
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Welcome coffee |
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09:00 – 09:20 |
Opening session |
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09:20 – 10:00 |
Presentation of the outcomes of the civil society consultations |
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Moderator: Mr. Jaafar Abdul Karim |
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10:00 – 10:30 |
Coffee break |
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10:30 – 12:30 |
Roundtables (Morning session) |
Roundtable 1: Implementation of UNSCR 2254: State of play and way forward |
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Moderator: Mr. Alessio Cappellani, Head of Division for Middle East – Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, European External Action Service (EEAS) Rapporteur for Ministerial: Ms. Sawsan Abou Zainedin, Chief Executive Officer, Madaniya Civil Society Network |
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Roundtable 2: Triggering Meaningful Change: Investing in the health workforce in Syria |
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Moderator: Dr. Ammar Sabouni, CEO, Syria Development Center Rapporteur for Ministerial: Dr. Hala Alghawi, Physician, Advocate for Women’s Empowerment and Rights in Health in Crisis Zones, Amal Centre and other Syrian Civil Society Bodies |
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Roundtable 3: Education in Emergency: Barriers, and opportunities for accessing education. Perspectives from the Youth |
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Moderator: Ms. Rasha Muhrez, Country Director Syria, Save the Children Rapporteur for Ministerial: Ms. Charmain Mohamed, North West Syria NGO Forum |
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12:30 – 14:00 |
Lunch break |
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14:00 – 16:00 |
Roundtables (Afternoon session) |
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Roundtable 4: Enhancing sustainability of Basic Services and Livelihood Opportunities for Refugees and Hosting Communities in Türkiye, Jordan and Lebanon |
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Moderator: Mr. Fadi Halliso, CEO, Basmeh & Zeitooneh Rapporteur for Ministerial: Dr. Hala Alghawi, Physician, Advocate for Women’s Empowerment and Rights in Health in Crisis Zones, Amal Centre and other Syrian Civil Society Bodies |
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Roundtable 5: Effective humanitarian assistance and protection as driver for supporting resilience and early recovery in the context of protracted crisis in Syria |
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Moderator: Ms. Haya Alfar, Protection Advisor, OXFAM Rapporteur for Ministerial: Ms. Charmain Mohamed, North West Syria NGO Forum |
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Roundtable 6: Justice, Peace and Right to Truth: Addressing the cases of missing persons and detainees as a prerequisite for future reconciliation |
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Moderator: Mr Gijs Gerlag, Special Envoy for Syria of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Rapporteur for Ministerial: Ms. Sawsan Abou Zainedin, Chief Executive Officer, Madaniya Civil Society Network |
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16:00 – 16:30 |
Coffee break |
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16:30 – 17:30 |
Closing session |
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Debriefing by rapporteurs:
Closing remarks by Ms. Belén Martínez Carbonell, Acting Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global issues, European External Action Service (EEAS) |
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18:30-22:00 |
Reception |
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Ministerial Conference
Side events
Numerous side events will take place in the margins of the Brussels VIII Conference, initiated and organised by civil society organisations, participating countries, the United Nations and international organisations.
Disclaimer: The role of the Brussels Conference Team is limited to authorising organisations to hold events within the framework of the Conference and increase their visibility. The EU will not participate in any way in the organisation and financing of these events. Views, thoughts and opinions expressed during these events reflect solely those of the speakers and do not constitute endorsement by the European Union.
If you wish to organise an event, please send us a concept note at BRUSSELS-SYRIA-CONFERENCE@eeas.europa.eu, containing the following information:
- Executive Summary - Overview of the overall objective of the proposed side event
- Date of the event, starting time, duration, venue
- Title of the event
- Description of the topic, issues to be addressed, agenda
- Speakers
- List of Invitees (i.e. name, organisation, country)
- Organiser (including contact person, and contact details)
- Co-organiser (including contact person and contact details)
Please note that in principle the events should take place between 22 April and 31 May 2024.
The Conference Team will inform you of the acceptance of the event by email, after its evaluation. Once events are accepted and added to the list of side events by the Conference Team, organisers will receive the Brussels VIII Conference logo for all communication purposes.
Visual material:
● Use of logo (for announcement, invitations, summary)
● Event website (to upload the link for the side event)
Side Events Agenda
Cultural Agenda
Press Material
Useful links and documents
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region – Brussels VII Conference, 14-15 June 2023
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region – Brussels VI Conference, 9-10 May 2022
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region – Brussels V Conference, 29-30 March 2021
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region – Brussels IV Conference, 22-30 June 2020
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region – Brussels III Conference, 12-14 March 2019
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region - Brussels II Conference, 24-25 April 2018
- Supporting the future of Syria and the region - Brussels I Conference, 4-5 April 2017
