NGOs, associations in NE Syria meet prior to Brussels Conference
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – Civil society organizations, associations, and institutions in Northeast Syria held on Tuesday a conference to convey the voices of local communities in the eighth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region.
Imad Ahmi, a project officer at ASO Center for Consultancy and Strategic Studies, stated to North Press that it is necessary to bring the voices of the local communities to international forums and that representatives of Northeast Syria convey recommendations and messages to the international community.
The conference was held, under the title of “Local Voices Conference,” in Hasakah Governorate, northeastern Syria.
It was organized by Hevdesti/Synergy Association for Victims and ASO Center, in collaboration with the Civil Society Organizations in North East Syria (CSO-NES) and the NGO Platform, including representatives of organizations operating in the region.
Ahmi further added that they aim to hold this conference every year before the annual Brussels Conference and to make recommendations that meet the needs of the people in Northeast Syria, with a focus on economic support and a stable security in the region. He said the absence of stability and security diminish economic development and exacerbate immigration.
Ahmi pointed out that over 20 organizations and civil activists received invitations to participate in the eighth Brussels Conference, all of whom are invited to the conference in Hasakah to convey these messages and recommendations in international forums.
Since 2017, the European Union has been organizing the annual conference in Brussels on supporting the future of Syria. The conference aims to mobilize the international community in support of a comprehensive and credible political solution in Syria.
In turn, Izzadin Saleh, Executive Director of Hevdesti/Synergy Association, said that Brussels conferences usually aim to gather donations and funding to support the Syrian people and provide assistance from donors and countries.
Saleh told North Press that they held this conference to have a discussion between local communities, the civil society, international organizations, in addition to boards of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) that provide services. The conference discusses the most important issues that concern the region, its priorities and needs.
He added that it is important to shed light on these issues in the Brussels Conference to ensure that the region is not marginalized, and that support and funding provided to the region are in accordance with the needs of the population.
The meeting will discuss several issues on the activation of the role of local civil society organizations and enhancing their access to donations and resources, as well as the issue of immigration, humanitarian challenges and the human rights situation.