Brussels – The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) said on Friday that Damascus will host the ninth edition of the “Day of Dialogue” on Saturday – the first time the event is held inside Syria with direct support from the European Union.
According to the directorate, the initiative forms part of the EU’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Syrian people, with this year’s edition centred on strengthening the role of civil society in the country.
Preparations for the event included consultations across different Syrian regions, carried out in cooperation with civil society and the Syrian transitional government, the statement said.
European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas noted that Syria now stands before “a chance to rebuild the country in a way that reflects the will of the Syrian people”. She stressed that creating a “safe, independent and vibrant civic space” is essential for political and social reconstruction.
Kallas said the Day of Dialogue gives Syrians a platform to express their views on their country’s future, adding that EU support is “not just in words but also in deeds” – including €2.5 billion in assistance to help rebuild Syria.
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Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka Šuica said that holding the event inside Syria for the first time reflects the EU’s “enduring support for inclusiveness, reconciliation and a safe and vibrant civic space in Syria”.
She emphasised the EU’s readiness to support Syrians on their path towards “justice, social cohesion and a peaceful transition”.
EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib described the event in Damascus as “historic”, saying it brings Syrians from across the spectrum into “truly Syrian-led dialogue on how to rebuild their country”.
She said Syria is now “at a pivotal moment full of opportunity and responsibility”, noting that during a visit to Damascus earlier this year he met civil society members who had returned to their communities to begin rebuilding. Their “courage and commitment”, she added, offer hope for the future.
The EU says it will continue providing humanitarian aid and early recovery support to the most vulnerable groups, with the goal of promoting sustainable economic revival that improves daily life for Syrians.
The Directorate-General for Civil Protection added that over the past fourteen years the EU has given extensive support to Syrian civil society, describing it as a “cornerstone of resilience, inclusiveness and civil engagement”.
Adding that the 2025 edition of the Day of Dialogue will focus on empowering civil society to play an active role in Syria’s peaceful and inclusive transformation.
