As part of building institutional bridges between the Syrian state and communities abroad, the Civil Society Forum (ULFED) organized a special meeting on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Istanbul. The meeting brought together the Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management, Mr. Raed Al-Saleh, with a select group of Syrian expatriates and representatives of civil society organizations, the media, and academic research.
The meeting, which was held according to specific and well-thought-out invitations, provided a high-level dialogue platform on the challenges of disaster response, institutional rebuilding, and strengthening the relationship between the state and society.
Key topics of the meeting:
- A review of the Ministry’s efforts to combat the recent fires on the Syrian coast, including international cooperation with Turkey and other countries, and the use of advanced monitoring technologies linked to TURKSAT and NASA.
- The Ministry’s plan to establish a national disaster response system was presented, including a mine action center, a national drought management committee, and an early warning project in cooperation with Turkey and Germany.
- The Minister emphasized that the establishment of the Ministry came in response to an urgent national need after the fall of the former regime, and that it differs fundamentally from the Civil Defense in terms of structure and powers.
- The discussion addressed the mass graves that are still being discovered, and the method of dealing with them with complete professionalism.
The Syrian Future Movement particularly appreciates Minister Al-Saleh’s remarks about his meeting with the Turkish Minister of the Interior, and his request for a comprehensive report on the conditions of Syrians in Turkey, including the obstacles and problems they face.
Although this report does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management, this initiative expresses a strong sense of patriotism and is credited to Minister Al-Saleh as a responsible step reflecting a deep awareness of the connection between disasters and the social and political fragility experienced by Syrians in the diaspora.
The head of the Syrian Future Movement, Dr. Zaher Badrani, personally participated in the meeting and briefly addressed the minister, thanking him for his efforts and the role of his minister. He noted that, in appreciation of his national performance, the Syrian Future Movement honored Minister Raed Al-Saleh with the symbolic Syrian Future Movement shield as part of our series of honors for figures who have championed the Syrian revolution. This was published on our official website on July 9, 2025, in recognition of the minister’s efforts, which have transcended the limits of administrative jurisdiction to touch the essence of national and humanitarian responsibility.
The head of the movement also asked him about the possibility of supporting his ministry in the future with graduates of Syrian universities by adding academic departments specializing in earthquakes and disaster management, as well as special curricula. This would enable the ministry to become a specialized university cadre that would support the ministry and develop its technical, technological, administrative, and practical work.
Minister Raed al-Saleh appreciated the question, considering it important, noting that he had overlooked this vital aspect in his remarks. He confirmed that an agreement had indeed been reached with the Ministry of Higher Education to include special departments that address the ministry’s fields and specialties in the future.
The meeting witnessed a significant presence from the Syrian community, which contributed to the presentation of field and institutional perspectives on the relationship between the state and society, and the need to build bridges of partnership between Syrians abroad and official institutions at home.
We, in the Syrian Future Movement, believe this meeting reflects a promising model of participatory governance and emphasizes the importance of expanding the scope of national responsibility to include the issues of the Syrian diaspora.
We recommend the following:
- Support the efforts of the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management in building a comprehensive national response system.
- Enhance coordination between Syrian ministries and Turkish agencies concerned with Syrian refugee issues.
- Develop institutional mechanisms to represent Syrians abroad in national decision-making processes.
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Presidential Office / Official Invitations
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Statement
