Sessions on the first day of the "Project Syria 2026" exhibition and conference on construction, development, and real estate in Damascus focused on discussing recovery and reconstruction priorities in Syria, as well as available investment opportunities to establish international partnerships and transfer modern expertise and technologies in the construction sector. Their role in supporting industry and activating productive sectors was highlighted, alongside developing skills and competencies and aligning training programs with labor market needs.
Participants discussed the requirements for creating a safe environment for reconstruction, including managing risks from explosive remnants of war left by the former regime, investment and development opportunities in the hospitality sector, and ways to "build back better" by developing infrastructure capable of withstanding climate change, improving construction quality, expanding the use of renewable energy, and strengthening the professional capacities needed for the recovery phase.
Completing stalled housing projects and launching new ones
Tammam al-Dibl, Director General of the General Housing Establishment, stated during his participation in the conference that the establishment is working to complete stalled housing projects and launch new ones, as part of a strategy aimed at determining implementation priorities and achieving spatial justice in distributing projects among governorates, with priority given to projects with high completion rates.
Al-Dibl said that work is underway to complete 9 projects out of 33 in various governorates, and that the establishment completed more than 2,500 housing units during 2026. Concurrently, it prepared a strategy for 2027, launching new housing projects, including the "Al-Nahda Housing" project in Idlib governorate about a month ago, which comprises approximately 3,000 housing units, with preparations under way to launch other projects in the coming months.
Al-Dibl noted that the establishment seeks to secure the necessary resources to complete stalled projects and launch new ones by investing ministry assets and enhancing partnerships with local and foreign companies.
Renovating 200 schools
Lawrence Ondo, Deputy Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Syria, clarified in a statement to SANA correspondent that the organization is working in cooperation with the Syrian government to renovate 200 schools by the end of the current year at a cost of $20 million.
Ondo pointed out that UNICEF rehabilitated 256 health centers in Syria at a cost of $24 million, equipping them with solar energy systems, alongside rehabilitating water systems. He explained that the return of more than 2 million internally displaced persons and 1.8 million refugees since December 8, 2024, imposes additional pressure on services, necessitating expanded partnerships with the private sector, as humanitarian funding alone is insufficient to meet investment needs in food security.
Supporting investment in food security and infrastructure
For her part, Marianne Ward, Representative and Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Syria, stated in a similar comment that the "Project Syria 2026" exhibition constitutes an important platform bringing together government entities, the private sector, UN agencies, and international financial institutions, allowing for enhanced cooperation and coordination of efforts to support economic recovery in Syria.
Ward explained that the program is working to mobilize support for investment in food security and related logistical infrastructure, due to their importance in supporting the Syrian economy. She noted that the food sector was one of the main drivers of the Syrian economy, and that investment in it can enhance Syria's ability to meet its population's food needs and restore its role in providing food for the region.
Turning recovery into sustainable development
Rouhi Afghani, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Syria, revealed in a similar statement that more than 3.5 million Syrians have returned to the country over the past two years, enhancing opportunities to turn recovery into sustainable development.
Afghani added: "There are approximately 16.6 million people in Syria who still need humanitarian assistance, making investment in recovery and development an urgent necessity amid declining humanitarian funding." He considered that turning recovery into sustainable development requires developing legislation, enhancing institutional capacities, and providing financial systems that allow access to economic and social opportunities.
The activities of the "Project Syria 2026" exhibition and conference will continue until November 5, with the participation of more than 150 local and foreign companies specializing in construction, development, and real estate from 12 countries.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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