The “Partners of the Syria Peace Initiative” Forum opened in Damascus, bringing together Syrian government officials, civil society representatives, international donors, diplomats and researchers to discuss the priorities and opportunities shaping Syria’s transitional period.
Organized by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and supported by the foreign ministries of Germany and Denmark, as well as the EU, the forum aims to foster dialogue among key stakeholders and explore pathways for recovery, stability and long-term development.
Emphasis on National Ownership
Speaking at the forum, Qutayba Qadish, director of international cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, said Syria is entering a transitional phase focused on restoring national initiative, strengthening national ownership and achieving tangible progress in recovery and stability efforts.
Qadish noted that, since liberation, Syria has undertaken a series of national measures, including establishing the constitutional framework for the transition, creating institutions dedicated to transitional justice and missing persons, laying the groundwork for civil peace and reorganizing international cooperation through the Foreign Ministry. He emphasized that these steps are intended to strengthen state institutions and support a transition led by Syrian priorities and interests.
Recovery Priorities and International Cooperation
Qadish also stressed that international assistance can contribute to recovery only when it respects Syria’s sovereignty and aligns with nationally identified priorities. According to him, the International Cooperation Department is working to organize relations with international partners and direct resources toward areas of greatest need within a structured framework.
Syria’s recovery agenda, he said, focuses on several interconnected priorities, including restoring critical infrastructure and basic services, improving social and economic resilience, strengthening public institutions and enhancing administrative capacity.
At the same time, Qadish highlighted the importance of civil peace, transitional justice and community participation as essential components of sustainable recovery. He added that effective national diplomacy remains necessary to communicate Syria’s priorities and strengthen its presence in international forums.
A Decade of Peacebuilding Efforts
Moritz Rohde, head of the Syria Peace Initiative’s executive team, told SANA that the forum represents the culmination of more than a decade of work supporting political dialogue and mediation efforts among Syrians.
Following developments in Syria during 2024, Rohde said the initiative adjusted its mandate to support a peaceful, inclusive and fair political transition. He explained that the initiative now serves as a platform connecting a wide range of stakeholders inside Syria while expanding cooperation with the Syrian Caretaker Government.
According to Rohde, the forum provides an opportunity for open discussion of Syria’s needs and the challenges associated with the transition process. Bringing together diverse participants, he said, encourages dialogue, facilitates the exchange of expertise and supports collective problem-solving.
European Backing for Transition Efforts
Michael Unmacht, chargé d’affaires of the EU Mission to Syria, told SANA that the initiative has supported Syrians both inside and outside the country through multiple forms of cooperation. He noted that the initiative has progressed through four phases, with the current phase beginning in December 2024 following Syria’s liberation.
Unmacht said the initiative has received consistent support from the EU and its member states, with Germany backing the effort from its inception and Denmark joining later as part of a broader Team Europe approach.
He welcomed the participation of Syrian government representatives in the forum and described support for Syria’s transition as a central objective of the initiative. Unmacht expressed hope that continued cooperation and the exchange of expertise would contribute to a more stable and prosperous future for Syrians.
