In a significant move aimed at fostering a peaceful political transition in Syria, international donors pledged nearly €6 billion ($6.5 billion) in aid during a one-day conference held in Brussels on Monday. This meeting, convened by the European Union, gathered ministers and representatives from Western nations, neighboring countries, and United Nations agencies, all seeking to bolster the new leadership following the ousting of President Bashar Assad in December.
The European Commission announced that the aid package includes €4.2 billion ($4.6 billion) in grants and €1.6 billion ($1.7 billion) in low-interest loans. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "At this critical time, the people of Syria need us more than ever." Germany committed approximately €300 million ($326 million) to alleviate the humanitarian impact of the civil war, while the United Kingdom pledged up to $208 million.
Despite the commitment from various nations, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Natasha Franceschi highlighted that the U.S. has been the largest contributor over the past 14 years, although no new financial pledges were made during the conference. The new Syrian leadership, striving to regain control over fragmented territories and rebuild the economy, faces an estimated reconstruction cost of at least $250 billion, with some experts suggesting it could reach $400 billion. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani urged donors to invest in reconstruction and sustainable development to restore hope among the war-torn population.