The Preparatory Committee for the Syrian National Dialogue Conference (SNDC) has announced that the much-anticipated event will take place on Feb. 24-25, 2025, with a two-day agenda to foster dialogue and address key national issues. The conference follows months of preparatory meetings across Syria’s provinces, engaging 4,000 citizens to ensure broad societal representation. Around 600 participants from across the country are expected to attend, divided into working groups focused on various topics.
Daghim: High Interest in Transitional Justice & Reform
Hassan al-Daghim, the official spokesman for the committee, said public contributions shaped the dialogue’s priorities, with transitional justice, governance reform, and economic recovery emerging as the most critical concerns.
“We noticed a strong national spirit and a desire to make the transitional phase successful,” Daghim said. “Dialogue has been embraced as a means to solve national issues.”
However, he acknowledged variations in local priorities, particularly regarding reconstruction efforts and the scope of political isolation laws.
Conference Seeks to Foster Inclusive National Identity
Maher Alloush, head of the Preparatory Committee, emphasized that Syria is at a pivotal moment, requiring collective responsibility to find solutions to pressing challenges.
“The Syrian people have lacked a true opportunity for direct dialogue for 75 years,” Alloush said in remarks reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA). “This conference is a historic chance to move beyond the past and help shape the country’s future on solid foundations.”
He reaffirmed that the primary goal of the dialogue is to build a state rooted in justice, freedom, and equality, adding that preparatory meetings will continue to develop working papers that reflect the perspectives of all involved.
Conference Agenda
The SNDC is scheduled to begin today, Feb. 24 with a welcome session and participant registration at 5 p.m., followed by a networking dinner at 8 p.m. The second day, Feb. 25, will feature the core discussions, starting with a 9:30 a.m. opening speech, followed by working sessions of six major groups consisting of:
Transitional Justice; Constitutional Building; Institutional Reform and Development; Personal Freedoms, Individual Rights and Humanitarian Life; The Role of Civil Society Organizations; and Economic Principles.
A final session at 5 p.m. will include a general meeting, discussions, and the reading of the final statement with closing remarks.
The Future of the SNDC
The committee has held preparatory meetings in multiple governorates, including Homs, Hama, Idlib, Latakia, Tartous, Suwayda, Daraa, Deir Ezzor, Hasakah, and Raqqa. The discussions aim to incorporate diverse viewpoints ahead of the main event.
While some controversy over participation remains, the upcoming conference is seen as a crucial step toward shaping Syria’s political and economic future. Whether it will achieve meaningful consensus, however, remains to be seen.
