Brussels: Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi affirmed that the reconstruction and stability of Syria is a humanitarian and security necessity for the entire region, and therefore, the GCC will remain supportive of all initiatives that put Syria on a path to recovery, away from conflicts, and based on the foundations of justice, development, and stability.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Albudaiwi’s remarks came in a speech at the ninth Brussels Conference on Syria today in the Belgian capital, Brussels, with the participation of many countries and organizations. “We are meeting today to send a message of hope to the Syrian people that the world has not forgotten them, and that we stand by them at this pivotal moment,’ Albudaiwi stated. ‘This moment requires us all to coordinate international support efforts for the transitional phase Syria is going through, to determine the best ways to provide assistance, and to identify the priorities of the required support, because what is happening in Syria is a humanitarian, political, and security challenge that affects us all.”
He pointed out that the Syrian Arab Republic witnessed rapid developments recently that require a unified position to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He emphasized that the GCC countries have stood by the Syrian people, based on a firm conviction that a strong, safe, and stable Syria is not only in Syria’s interest but also in the interest of the Gulf, Arab, and international community.
Albudaiwi recalled that the GCC Ministerial Council held its extraordinary session on December 26, 2024, in the State of Kuwait, where it affirmed its support for all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political settlement. The council welcomed steps taken to ensure the safety of civilians and preserve the institutions and capabilities of the Syrian state, and it emphasized that limiting weapons to the state is the foundation for restoring stability. The council also supported the call of the UN secretary-general to establish a UN mission to support the transitional process in Syria, stressing that the international community must be a partner in rebuilding Syria, not just an observer.
Albudaiwi highlighted the diplomatic moves by GCC countries, including his visit to Syria with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al Yahya to meet with the Syrian leadership in Damascus. The visit followed what was agreed upon in the consultative meeting of the GCC Ministerial Council, which preceded the extraordinary session on December 26, 2024. He emphasized that GCC foreign ministers stressed the importance of sending a unified Gulf message to support Syria and express the council’s solidarity with the Syrian people at this critical stage.
He also noted that the conference is a continuation of 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, which focused on supporting a comprehensive transitional process and identifying basic needs for restoring stability in Syria.
Albudaiwi noted that prior to this, Saudi Arabia hosted extensive meetings in Riyadh on January 12 to discuss ways to support Syria, lift sanctions, and begin providing all forms of humanitarian and economic support, as well as building the necessary capabilities for reconstruction.
“Because we believe that Syria’s recovery requires strong economic support, the Ministerial Council in its 163rd session, held in Makkah on March 6, affirmed the need to lift sanctions to enable the Syrian economy to recover and to create conditions for the return of Syrian refugees to their homes with dignity and safety. The GCC urges all partners, countries, and organizations to provide all means of support to the Syrian people,’ he said.
Albudaiwi welcomed the positive steps taken by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom in easing some of the sanctions imposed on Syria.
He added that the Ministerial Council held a joint meeting with the Syrian foreign minister during the same session to discuss ways to support the Syrian people and provide all necessary assistance at this critical stage.
Albudaiwi stressed that the GCC countries have spared no effort in providing humanitarian and relief support to Syria. Recognizing the extent of suffering, the GCC countries have sent hundreds of tons of medical and food aid via air and land bridges and implemented dozens of volunteer programs in the health sector, benefiting tens of thousands of people. Additionally, training and rehabilitation programs for medical specialists were launched to support Syria’s health sector.
Albudaiwi concluded by emphasizing that the GCC supports Syria’s security and stability, condemns repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory, rejects the Israeli occupation of the buffer zone, and demands Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Syrian territories. He stressed that the Golan will remain Syrian Arab land, and the occupation does not change its identity.
“The GCC also rejects any attempts to make demographic changes in Syria, because Syria’s future must belong to its people, not be shaped by external plans or regional calculations,” Albudaiwi stressed.
