Brussels, 17 March 2025
Today, in a pivotal moment for Syria’s transition, the European Union hosted the ninth edition of the Brussels Conference “Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition.”
Amid renewed hope and significant challenges after the fall of the Assad regime, the EU alongside EU Member States, regional and international partners, as well as, Syria’s transitional authorities, reaffirmed its support for an inclusive, peaceful, Syrian-owned and Syrian-led transition.
In a clear demonstration of the EU ongoing support, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the EU is committing nearly €2.5 billion for 2025 and 2026 to aid Syria’s transition process and the country’s socio-economic recovery, while also addressing the urgent humanitarian needs, both within Syria and in the host communities across Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Türkiye.
For 2025, the EU increased its pledge made at the eighth Brussels Conference, from €560 million to €720.5 million, to support the population inside Syria, as well as Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities across Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq. Additionally, the EU committed €600 million for 2026 for these countries; and pledged €1.1 billion to support Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in Türkiye for 2025 and 2026.
The ministerial event featured a political session chaired by EU High Representative, Vice-President Kaja Kallas and two pledging sessions chaired successively by EU Commissioners Hadja Lahbib and Dubravka Šuica.
Members of Syria’s civil society participated in the Conference, offering invaluable insights from the ground. The conference also served as a platform to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to safeguard a prominent and inclusive role for civil society — in all its diversity — in the post-Assad Syria.
The Conference aimed at fostering efficiency and coordination among international partners and UN entities, ensuring that assistance meaningfully supports Syria’s socio-economic recovery – an effort that must be both Syrian-led, and Syrian-owned.
Background
The EU has remained steadfast in its commitment to support Syrian people, including through the organisation of the annual Brussels Conference over the past eight years. Since 2011, the EU and its Member States have mobilised nearly €37 billion in humanitarian and resilience assistance, supporting Syrians both inside the country and across the region.
Quote(s)
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission:
Of course, the path to reconciliation and recovery is still long, but for the first time in decades, Syria’s hope can become reality. Syria can become a country where everyone can speak their mind. With equal rights and representation for all – men and women alike, beyond faith, ethnicity and ideology. A country with no place for sectarian violence. The future of Syria is for all Syrians to build. Those who always fought for freedom, and those who just discovered hope. Those who fled and those who stayed. This must be the promise of the new Syria. And we will do everything we can so that it can be fulfilled.
Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Today marks a pivotal moment in Syria’s journey. This conference is more than pledges. It is a message of collective support for a peaceful, inclusive Syrian led and Syrian owned transition in Syria. It is a show of international commitment to a safe future for all Syrians. Justice, reconciliation, and reconstruction are fundamental parts of this. The people of Syria have lived through decades of horror. It’s high time that all Syrians can live safely in peace.
Dubravka Šuica, Commissioner for Mediterranean:
Today marks a new chapter for Syria—one of inclusivity, commitment, and progress. The EU stands in unwavering solidarity with the Syrian people, reaffirming our shared goal of a Syrian-owned and Syrian-led transition, grounded in human rights and international law. Our increased pledges and renewed engagement reflect a steadfast commitment to stability, recovery, and a brighter future for all Syrians.
Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management
Today the international community has reaffirmed its strong solidarity with the people of Syria in all its diversity. The pledges made at this conference are more than financial commitments — they are a lifeline for millions. Syria’s future must be one of dignity, opportunity, and peace, and the support pledged today brings us closer to that vision. The European Union will continue to stand by the Syrian people, not only in responding to urgent humanitarian needs but in helping to build a just, inclusive, and stable future. Together, we are not just offering aid — we are investing in hope, resilience, and a path toward lasting peace.
Source – EU Commission
Speech by Commissioner Hadja Lahbib at the Standing with Syria: Brussels IX Conference
Brussels, 17 March 2025
“Check against delivery”
After more than a decade of war, displacement, and hardship, Syria is at a turning point. The fall of the Assad regime has opened a new chapter — with immense challenges but also with unprecedented opportunities to rebuild a nation.
During this political transformation, the humanitarian needs remain staggering. Just a snapshot of the situation on the ground:
Three out of four Syrians — over 16 million people — still need humanitarian aid.
More than half of the population faces food insecurity. The education and healthcare systems are under immense strain, leaving millions without basic services.
Two out of three Syrians live in extreme poverty. Infrastructure is crumbling and the economy is in freefall. The scars of war —both physical and emotional — run deep.
More than 12 million Syrians have been forcibly displaced, with over seven million internally displaced and almost two million living in camps.
The Syria of today is like post-World War Two Europe before the Marshall Plan. We need coordinated international action to keep up the humanitarian aid. As Syria rebuilds, millions will still rely on humanitarian assistance. We must continue to address their lifesaving needs and protect the most vulnerable.
Since the beginning of the Syria crisis in 2011, the EU and its Member States have mobilised nearly €37 billion in humanitarian, development, economic and stabilisation aid. From this amount, more than €4.3 billion have been mobilised in humanitarian aid to Syrians and vulnerable host communities in Syria and the region. This includes over €1.7 billion in Syria, €959 million in Lebanon, and €431 million in Jordan.
Our decision at the Foreign Affairs Council last month to extend indefinitely the humanitarian exemption of EU sanctions on Syria sent a powerful message of support to the Syrian people. It will make it easier to deliver humanitarian aid to those in need.
We must work together to avoid duplication. Efficient coordination between governments, international financial institutions, the UN, and NGOs will maximize our impact.
The peaceful transition from a humanitarian phase into a reconstruction phase — linked to conditions fulfilled by the interim Government — is also essential. This includes the commitment to comply with international law and the protection of all Syrians.
The EU has been at the forefront of international discussions on Early Recovery in Syria. We have supported early humanitarian recovery efforts to make sure essential services continue and to avoid the collapse of critical civilian infrastructure. Protection will also be a priority of our humanitarian and recovery programming to strengthen the resilience of Syrian communities.
Rebuilding Syria requires more than just humanitarian and development aid. This new chapter must be fair, inclusive, and representative of the people’s will. It must provide opportunities for all Syrians, no matter their background.
In January, I met with the new Syrian leaders, civil society, and humanitarian partners in Damascus. I reaffirmed the EU’s support for Syria and its people and the importance of a peaceful and inclusive political transition.
That is why I am deeply concerned by the serious violence, notably in the North-west of the country, with hundreds of innocent people killed. The EU calls on all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. The independent committee that was launched last week to investigate the violations is an essential step.
It is also important to keep in mind the regional dimension of the crisis and the situation of refugees in the neighbouring countries. The return of Syrian refugees must remain voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable.
I commend the extraordinary efforts of Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt in hosting millions of Syrian refugees. More assistance is needed to meet the growing needs of both the refugees and their host communities. I also commend the efforts of all humanitarian actors working in the region.
I recently visited Zaatari Camp in Jordan, where I met young Farah again. Maybe you remember her? She opened one of the first Syria Conferences when she was only seven years old. Now she is 13 and still lives in a refugee camp. She still has big hopes and big dreams — for herself and her country. We cannot let her down.
Today’s conference is not just a call for generosity — it is an extended hand to help rebuild Syria’s future. Farah’s future. It is a moment to invest in stability, security, and prosperity in a country that remains central to the region’s long-term peace.
Source – EU Commission