Brussels (UNA/QNA) – Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi affirmed that the reconstruction and stability of Syria is a humanitarian and security necessity for the entire region, stressing that the GCC will continue to support all initiatives that put Syria on the path to recovery, a path far from conflict, and built on the foundations of justice, development, and stability.
“We are gathered today to send a message of hope to the Syrian people that the world has not forgotten them, and that we stand with them at this crucial moment,” Al-Badawi said in a speech he delivered today at the ninth Brussels Conference on Syria. “This is a moment that requires us all to work together to coordinate international support efforts for the transitional phase that Syria is going through, and to identify the best ways to provide it, and to prioritize the support required, because what is happening in Syria is a humanitarian, political, and security challenge that affects us all.”
He pointed out that Syria has witnessed rapid developments recently, which requires us all to take a unified position that guarantees the preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that the GCC countries stood by the Syrian people, based on a firm conviction that a strong, secure and stable Syria is not only in the interest of Syria, but is a Gulf, Arab and international interest, and that the GCC Ministerial Council held its extraordinary session (46) on December 26, 2024, in Kuwait in this context, where it stressed support for all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement, welcoming the steps taken to ensure the safety of civilians, preserving the institutions of the Syrian state and its capabilities, and stressing that restricting weapons to the state is the basis for restoring stability. The Council also supported the call of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to establish a UN mission to support the transitional process in Syria, as we believe that the international community must be a partner in rebuilding Syria, not just an observer of events.
During his speech, he also touched on the intensive diplomatic efforts of the GCC countries, mentioning his visit to Syria to meet with the new Syrian leadership in Damascus. This visit came in response to what was agreed upon at the Ministerial Consultative Council meeting, which preceded the 46th Extraordinary Session of the esteemed Ministerial Council, which was held on December 26, 2024 in Kuwait. During the meeting, Their Highnesses, Excellencies and Highnesses, the Foreign Ministers of the GCC countries, stressed the importance of sending a unified Gulf message of support and solidarity with Syria, and to affirm the GCC’s commitment to supporting the Syrian people at this crucial stage.
He also stated that this conference is a continuation of our joint efforts, as the GCC countries and the General Secretariat participated in the high-level ministerial conference on Syria, hosted by France on February 13, 2025, which focused on supporting a comprehensive transitional process and identifying the basic needs to restore stability in Syria. This was preceded by expanded meetings hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on January 12, 2025, to discuss ways to support Syria, seek to lift sanctions, begin providing all forms of humanitarian and economic support, and build the necessary capacities for reconstruction. Believing that Syria's recovery requires strong economic support, the Ministerial Council, in its last 163rd session held in Mecca on March 6, 2025, affirmed the lifting of sanctions to enable the Syrian economy to stand on its feet again and create conditions for the return of Syrian refugees to their homes with dignity and safety. The GCC urges all partners, countries, and concerned organizations to provide all means of support to the Syrian people, stressing in this context the continuation of its countries' provision of humanitarian aid. It also welcomed the positive steps taken by the United States of America and the European Union. Britain has agreed to ease some sanctions imposed on Syria, and the Ministerial Council held a joint meeting with the Syrian Foreign Minister during the aforementioned session to discuss ways to support the Syrian people and provide them with all necessary assistance and support during this important phase.
He said that the GCC countries have spared no effort in providing humanitarian and relief support to the Syrian people. Recognizing the extent of the suffering they continue to face, the GCC countries have sent hundreds of tons of medical and food aid via air and land bridges, and have implemented dozens of volunteer programs in the health sector, benefiting more than tens of thousands of people. They have also launched training and qualification programs for medical professionals, with the aim of supporting the health sector in Syria.
In conclusion, Mr. Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, stressed that the GCC supports Syria's security and stability, condemns the repeated Israeli occupation attacks on Syrian territory, rejects the Israeli occupation of the buffer zone, and demands Israel's withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories. He emphasized that the Golan Heights will remain Syrian Arab land, and that the occupation will not change its identity. He also stressed that the GCC rejects any attempts to create demographic changes in Syria, because the future of Syria must belong to its people, not the result of external schemes or regional calculations.
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