بيانات صحفية

21 كانون الثاني/يناير 2014

Beirut

Syrian Experts Urge Geneva II Parties to Seize Historic Opportunity

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Syrian experts met on 20-21 January 2014 within the framework of the “National Agenda for the Future of Syria” project launched by ESCWA in august 2012, and urged the Syrian people and all participants in the Geneva II process to seize this historic opportunity to stop the crisis in Syria and allow the recovery process of their country to begin for the benefit of all Syrians. Three years of bitter conflict have placed Syria on the cusp of colossal destruction that could see it become a failed state by 2015. With each day the conflict continues, Syria turns back the clock in terms of human development and economic growth. Syria has lost 37 years in development over three years and has witnessed a decline across all development indicators to reach the second lowest ranking among all Arab countries. With each year the crisis continues, the country is now set back eight years in development. Every additional day of conflict costs the country US$109 million in GDP. The most recent ESCWA figures show that 300 people flee their homes every hour;6,000people now die every month; 9,000 people fall below the poverty line each day; while 2,500 succumb to abject poverty. With 38% of students falling outside the educational system, Syria risks losing a whole generation of human potential. Unemployment has reached 42% - an unprecedented world figure with the exception of Somalia - with 10,000 people losing their jobs every week. To avert this catastrophic scenario, over 300 Syrian experts from all economic, social and government sectors have provided critical technical analysis on the current indicators in the country, and identified opportunities and challenges to develop a comprehensive vision of the future state of Syria. Drawing on broad local knowledge and networks across all economic, social and political sectors, this highly qualified and diverse set of Syrian experts, consultants and advisors met over two days to agree on the vision of the National Agenda for the Future of Syria. The National Agenda team concluded that if violence in Syria stops now, a safe and secure, prosperous, united and democratic state for all Syrians is attainable. But there is no longer time to lose. As part of its mandate to promote good governance and development in the region, ESCWA, through the National Agenda project, has identified the priorities for immediate post-conflict response to work towards security, economic stability and social reconciliation by 2015. A long term vision for the country is also being developed to achieve sustainable economic growth, social cohesion and lasting improvements across infrastructure, social development and governance sectors by 2025. ESCWA estimates that if the conflict in Syria were to end today, it would take approximately seven years of high economic growth to recover to the pre-crisis level of economic activity it was expected to have in 2012. Participants in the meeting formulated suggestions for working plans for all sectors, including the micro and macroeconomic, water, energy, social services, housing, governance, institution building, communications technology, as well as heritage and culture. Immediate implementation of the recovery plan is essential to restore basic services and state functions in the post-conflict state and protect against the risk of a return to hostilities during this fragile period. Syrian and international stakeholders must harness their responsibilities at this crossroads to end the most disastrous humanitarian conflict currently facing mankind and must put Syria on the path to recovery. The National Agenda offers a roadmap for that process and a chance to pull Syria back from the abyss, despite immense challenges. ESCWA is one of the five UN regional commissions. It provides a framework for the formulation and harmonization of sectoral policies for member countries; a platform for congress and coordination; a home for expertise and knowledge, and an information observatory. ESCWA aims at supporting economic and social cooperation between the region’s countries and promoting development process in order to achieve regional integration. Libya, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Tunisia became members of ESCWA in September 2012. By this new membership, the number of ESCWA countries rose to 17, including: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, The Sudan, The Syrian Arab Republic, The United Arab Emirates and Yemen. * *** * For enquiries, please contact the ESCWA Communication and Information Unit (ECIU) on mobile number 70 993 144 or email: dargham@un.org
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