The interim government in Damascus will attend an international conference on Monday in Brussels to seek aid pledges for Syria, which continues to face significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political future following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
The interim government in Damascus will participate on Monday in an annual international conference to seek aid pledges for Syria, which is facing significant humanitarian challenges and an uncertain political transition following the departure of Bashar al-Assad.
The conference, hosted by the European Union in Brussels since 2017, has previously been held without the participation of Assad's government due to its actions during the civil war that began in 2011.
With Assad’s removal in December, EU officials hope to use the conference as an opportunity for a fresh start, although concerns remain over recent violence that has involved clashes between the new authorities and Assad loyalists.
EU foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, described the situation as one of "dire needs and challenges," particularly highlighted by recent violence in coastal regions. However, she also expressed optimism, referencing an agreement reached on March 10 to integrate the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which control much of the northeast, into new state institutions.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group now in control of much of the country, is designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations. Nevertheless, EU officials are engaging with the new rulers, provided they adhere to pledges of an inclusive and peaceful transition.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani is expected to attend the event, alongside numerous European and Arab ministers, as well as representatives from international organisations.
The conference is seen as crucial, especially as the United States, under President Donald Trump, has significantly reduced its humanitarian and development aid programmes.
At last year’s conference, pledges amounted to 7.5 billion euros ($8.1 billion) in grants and loans, with the EU committing 2.12 billion euros for 2024 and 2025.
Approximately 16.5 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian aid, with 12.9 million requiring food assistance, according to the EU. The war’s destruction has been compounded by an economic crisis, which has led to a sharp depreciation of the Syrian pound and pushed much of the population below the poverty line.
At least 20 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a suicide bomber attacked a church in central Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, officials confirmed.
Switzerland has announced the lifting of a wide array of economic sanctions on Syria, including measures targeting the country’s central bank. The move follows a series of international steps aimed at supporting Syria’s recovery after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
Iraq has officially reopened the Qaim border crossing with Syria, allowing trade and passenger traffic to resume in a key step toward restoring economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Forced displacement worldwide has hit a record 122.1 million, driven by conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, as humanitarian needs soar.
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
New research highlights that naturally-regenerating forests, often overlooked in climate policies, could remove carbon up to eight times faster than newly planted trees.
Azerbaijan has been elected Chair of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) key decision-making body, marking a first for the country and strengthening its role in global environmental policy.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on Thursday (24 June), exchanging views on a broad range of bilateral and international issues.
China’s annual “Two Sessions” meetings, held from March 4 to 11, offered fresh insight into the country's climate and energy outlook for 2025.
The 11th MINEX Central Asia Forum took place in Tashkent under the theme “Forging Central Asia's Role in Global Critical Minerals Security”, gathering stakeholders from across the region to explore collaboration and investment opportunities in the mining and critical minerals sector.
Tajikistan and Qatar are exploring ways to strengthen their bilateral relationship, focusing on expanding cooperation in economics, trade, and investment.
Uzbekistan and Russia have signed a new agreement to explore the construction of a large-capacity nuclear power plant, while also revising plans for a previously announced small modular nuclear power plant (SMR).
A landslide in northwest Colombia has left multiple people dead and injured, with rescue efforts still underway.
U.S. and Iranian officials have engaged in dialogue amid recent regional tensions, with Washington expressing cautious optimism about the outcome.
New research highlights that naturally-regenerating forests, often overlooked in climate policies, could remove carbon up to eight times faster than newly planted trees.
Azerbaijan has been elected Chair of the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) key decision-making body, marking a first for the country and strengthening its role in global environmental policy.
The UK will buy 12 F-35A jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.
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