The Syrian Future Movement is following with interest the 26th session of the Committee on Transport and Logistics of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), held in Damascus on November 25–26, 2025.
We believe that hosting this meeting, after a long absence from the regional scene, represents an important opportunity to reopen channels of technical and economic cooperation with Arab countries. It also provides a practical opportunity to discuss vital topics related to the digitalization of transport systems, facilitating digital trade, sustainable transport, and the UN Decade of Transport 2026–2035.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that Syria’s return to its place in specialized regional forums should be measured by its ability to translate diplomatic presence into tangible results that benefit its citizens. Given the accumulated economic and infrastructural challenges, any regional engagement must be accompanied by a clear national program to rehabilitate the transport sector, improve road safety, and enhance internal and regional connectivity in a way that ensures equitable social and economic benefits.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the national priorities that should accompany hosting the event are:
- Translating recommendations into actionable projects: Discussions must be followed by specific, time-bound, and budgeted implementation plans that focus on projects feasible within 12–36 months in the vital areas of roads, public transportation, and rail and logistics connectivity.
- Transparency and accountability in financing and management: We call for the adoption of transparent mechanisms for managing the financing of transportation projects, including the publication of financing plans, implementation contracts, and financial oversight and auditing mechanisms.
- Engaging the private sector and local communities: The success of transportation projects requires effective partnerships with the local private sector and investors, and the participation of local communities in designing solutions to ensure their sustainability and acceptance.
- Building local capacities: We emphasize the need for specialized training programs for workers in the transportation and logistics sector, including project management skills, digitalization, and infrastructure maintenance.
- Focus on sustainable transportation and road safety: New transportation policies must be aligned with sustainability and emissions reduction standards, and include practical plans to reduce traffic accidents and improve related data collection systems.
- Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms: If projects involve economic resources or returns, equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms should be established between the central government and affected areas, with safeguards to protect vulnerable groups.
The Syrian Future Movement calls on the government, relevant bodies within the Ministry of Transport, local institutions, the private sector, and civil society organizations to leverage the ESCWA session in Damascus as a platform for launching a productive national dialogue on transport sector priorities. The Syrian Future Movement also calls on regional and international partners to provide technical and financial support, contingent upon transparent implementation, respect for national sovereignty, and the interests of citizens.
The Syrian Future Movement announces its readiness to provide research and technical contributions, including preliminary feasibility studies, project management models, and training programs to build local capacity. This will be done in coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the session’s recommendations are translated into projects that serve sustainable development and improve the quality of life for citizens.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that Syria’s return to the regional cooperation arena on technical and economic matters represents an opportunity that must be seized wisely and responsibly. We also emphasize that the path to reconstruction and prosperity lies through practical and transparent policies and genuine community participation, and that any diplomatic progress must be matched by tangible progress on the ground that serves the interests of the Syrian people.
