Every year on July 11th, the world celebrates World Population Day, an international occasion officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 45/216 of 1990.
The significance of this date stems from “Five Billion Day,” observed on July 11, 1987, when the world’s population reached this symbolic milestone.
This day aims to highlight pressing demographic issues, promote awareness of human rights, and support sustainable development programs and their relationship to the environment, health, and education.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the Syrian people are the true wealth and the cornerstone of any development project, especially given international reports indicating that the world’s population will reach 8.3 billion by 2026. This necessitates that population policies be informed by a modern, scientific vision that guarantees dignity and justice.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the need to address the complex demographic reality in Syria, relying on UNFPA data showing that millions of Syrians are facing internal displacement and external refuge, even after the fall of Assad. This necessitates urgent national strategies to restore demographic balance and protect the unified Syrian identity from attempts at forced change.
The Syrian Future Movement stresses the paramount importance of prioritizing youth, in line with international trends this year. Statistics indicate that Syrian society possesses a large, young population that requires intellectual and economic empowerment to prevent emigration and harness untapped potential during the recovery phase.
The Syrian Future Movement connects Syria to the international community through a civilized, ethical, and values-based approach. It believes that adherence to international human rights conventions and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is a moral obligation that guarantees the dignity of every citizen and their right to healthcare, quality education, and a safe life as an active partner in the humanitarian system.
The Syrian Future Movement is committed to creating a conducive environment for political and social transition. It believes that sound management of population issues and linking human growth to economic development are the true keys to a successful transition and achieving sustainable stability.
The Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Developing a national database by establishing an independent national census authority, working in coordination with international organizations to conduct a comprehensive and accurate survey that addresses the imbalances in population distribution resulting from years of war.
- Providing a safe environment for return and establishing binding and internationally protected frameworks that guarantee the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their original cities and villages.
- Investing in human capital, and we propose launching an urgent national plan to develop the education and vocational training sectors and link them to the labor market requirements during the reconstruction phase.
- Restoring and repairing infrastructure, and we call on the international community and donor institutions to direct support towards rehabilitating the health, water, and energy sectors, as these are essential for stabilizing populations in their areas and preventing repeated displacement.
The Syrian Future Movement, as it commemorates this global occasion, renews its pledge to the Syrian people to work diligently towards building a state of citizenship and justice, a state that invests in its people and protects their rights so that they may be partners in shaping the civilization of the future.
