Brussels Conference on the Future of Syria

 

The Future of Syria and the region - Brussels Conference, 29-30 March 2021

Main results

The European Union and the United Nations co-chaired the fifth Brussels Conference on "Supporting the future of Syria and the region", which took place on 29 and 30 March 2021 in a virtual format.

Over 80 countries, international organisations, the EU and UN agencies came together to participate in the international conference and in its high level ministerial segment on Tuesday 30 March.

Syrians must decide the future of Syria. And the future of Syria belongs to none of the factions and to none of the outside powers. It is for the Syrians to shape in Syrian-owned and Syrian-led negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations. In the meantime we will keep mobilising all our efforts to meet the increasing needs of the Syrian people and neighbouring countries hosting 5.6 million refugees.

Josep Borrell Fontelles, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Vice-President of the Commission

The conference succeeded in mobilising aid to Syrians inside the country and in the neighbouring countries, including for hosting communities, through pledges totalling €5.3 billion for 2021 and beyond. In the past 10 years the European Union and its member states have been the largest provider of support to Syria with close to €25 billion delivered since the beginning of the crisis.  

There is an increase in the number of people who are in need of humanitarian assistance and the scale and severity is also higher than it has ever been. And this is why we have the largest ever response plan put together by the UN and the organisations we work with.

Mark Lowcock, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

• Syrian crisis: €5.3 billion mobilised by donors for 2021 and beyond at 5th Brussels Conference, press release
• Brussels V Conference – Supporting the future of Syria and the region
• Co-chairs' statement

Brussels V was an opportunity to gather all relevant actors to effectively address the current situation In Syria, offer continued support to UN efforts for a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian conflict, mobilise necessary financial support for Syria and neighbouring countries hosting Syrian refugees, as well as pursuing and deepening our dialogue with civil society.

The Conference also highlighted the importance of the solidarity shown by host countries and communities in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey, as well as other host countries in the region such as Egypt and Iraq while underlining the challenges they face in the medium and long term.