Second Brussels Conference “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region”

The Brussels II Conference “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region” (#SyriaConf2018), co-chaired by the EU and the United Nations, started yesterday and continues today with ministerial plenary and parallel sessions, bringing together over 85 delegations, from the EU and the region, regional and international organisation, NGOs and civil society.

“From the European Union alone, almost €11 billion have been mobilised in these years. Last year at the First Brussels Conference we committed to increasing our support for Syrians, inside and outside the country. And today I can announce that, not only collectively we have delivered on last year’s pledges but also that collectively, as international community, we have even exceeded last year’s commitment by 25%. […] The EU will confirm for the next year the same contribution as last year and we aim at maintaining the same level of contribution until 2020 – that is €560 million for our support to Syrians in Jordan, Lebanon and inside Syria and for the host communities. And for Syrians in Turkey the EU and Member States will uphold their commitments and mobilise additional €3 billion in the coming two years“ announced High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini at the opening of the Conference and the political session (arrival doorsteps,opening remarks, including Mogherini‘s arrival doorsteps and opening statement are available online).

Yesterday, HRVP Mogherini and UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Misturamet with Syrian civil society representatives and hold a joint press point. Mogherini‘s remarks are available here. In parallel, Commissioners Hahn and Stylianides hosted a “Day of Dialogue” together with UN representatives, key donors and over 200 NGOs from Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey. The opening remarks by Commissioners Hahn and Stylianides are available online.

For more information on the Conference, visit the dedicated website – which contains the programme, list of participants and background information. For further insight into the EU response to the Syrian crisis, read our factsheet.