The Secretary -General urges the international community to move urgently to invest in the future of Syria and its recovery

The Secretary -General sent a video message to the ninth annual Brussels Conference held under the title: “Standing with Syria: meet the needs for a successful transition.”

The Secretary -General stressed the need to support the efforts made to ensure an organized and comprehensive political transition, as well as establishing institutions that serve and reflect and protect all Syrians. He stressed that the future of Syria is something that the Syrians are determined, and that the United Nations is committed to helping them in their journey towards a free, prosperous and peaceful future.

A moment in the country’s history

The Secretary -General said that Syria is going through a “watershed moment, as the Syrians stand on the threshold of a historical opportunity to achieve their aspirations towards a peaceful, prosperous and comprehensive future.” However, the road forward is full of challenges, according to the Secretary -General, noting that the Syrian economy has estimated at $ 800 billion of GDP during 14 years of war, and the infrastructure of biotechnology has been destroyed.

He added that millions of Syrians, inside and outside Syria, still need huge levels of support in order to provide food, shelter, basic services and livelihoods. This includes thousands of Syrians who have returned since December and five million Syrian refugees in neighboring countries.

Guterres stressed that more than two -thirds of the population in Syria needs humanitarian aid, which makes it one of the “largest humanitarian crises in the world.” However, funding for the humanitarian response is still not enough.

He concluded his speech by saying: “The United Nations remains committed to helping the Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom and prosperity are common facts for all. This is the way to sustainable peace in Syria. Syria will be for all Syrians, prosperous, successful and live in peace.”

More about the activities of the Brussels Conference later ……..