The seventh Brussels Conference on "Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region," organized by the European Union with the participation of Jordan, began in the Belgian capital, Brussels on Wednesday. Earlier this morning, dialogue sessions between the civil society from Syria and abroad, decision makers and executive partners kicked off, in which civil society organizations and specialists from Jordan took part, to address developments on the Syrian issue, the region, and the related humanitarian challenges. The conference aims to ensure the continued support of the Syrian people, whether in Syria or abroad, by mobilizing the international community to support a comprehensive and credible political solution to the Syrian conflict in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The conference will renew political and financial support from the region's perspectives on the civil society's consultations. The first dialogue session was devoted to addressing basic needs, access to basic services and early recovery in the Syrian context. Participants explored means of responding to basic needs, supporting access to essential services and early recovery efforts in Syria, as well as reflecting on response strategies to support sustainable humanitarian outcomes across Syria, drawing on the experience of a variety of local actors and responders. The second dialogue session discussed developing opportunities at the local level, focusing on empowering local actors, who have worked endlessly over the past 12 years, to better address the crisis, in addition to searching for effective means to promote a safe and neutral civic space and strengthening efforts to ensure their effective participation in the political process for the future of promoting justice and accountability for the Syrian people. The third session talked about the efforts of civil society, international organizations, national judicial authorities, and future steps, discussing the continuing urgent need for accountability and justice in Syria, and giving insights into the work of non-governmental organizations and Syrian human rights activists. United Nations Security Council resolutions, such as Security Council Resolution 2171 (2014) on the Prevention of Armed Conflict, have focused on the importance of accountability in preventing future conflicts, avoiding the recurrence of gross violations of international law and enabling sustainable peace, justice, truth and reconciliation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Ayman Safadi and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zina Toukan will participate tomorrow in the ministerial meeting of the Seventh Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.

Source: Jordan News Agency