Brussels III Conference for Syria

15/03/2019

ITF attends the gathering of international community at Brussels III Conference between 12 and 13 March co-chaired by the EU and the UN.

Between 12 and 13 March ITF attended the Days of Dialogue at Brussels III conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region. Days of Dialogue is a consulting platform of various NGOs and civil society representatives, who are tackling the humanitarian crisis in Syria and the neighboring countries.

Over 1,000 participants and 400 representatives of Syrian NGOs actively debated and participated at the various thematic panels from protection to justice and social cohesion. The outcome was later transmitted to the Ministerial meeting on the 14 March with over 80 delegations and 55 countries. In addition, the conference also brought together 11 regional organization and financial institutions and 11 UN agencies.

At the end of the conference, EU High Representative Ms Federica Mogherini announced that the international community pledged over €8.3 billion to address the urgent needs of Syrians and neighboring countries. With the financial backing, the EU continues to renew its support for a political solution within Syria, which is led by the UN. Approximately two thirds of total sum pledged came from the EU and its member states.

With the armed conflict in Syria ongoing for more than 8 years, the Brussels III conference builds upon the work achieved in previous gatherings in Kuwait (2013-15), London (2016) and Brussels (2017-18), with the aim of keeping Syria and the region at the top of the international agenda.