Planning minister discusses preparations for Brussels Conference on Syria with co-hosts

AMMAN — Planning and International Cooperation Minister Imad Fakhoury on Wednesday headed a meeting to discuss preparations for the Brussels Conference on “Supporting the future of Syria and the region” to be held from April 4-5. 

The meeting was attended by ambassadors from co-host countries including the EU, the UK, Germany, Norway, Kuwait and the UN, according to a Planning Ministry on Wednesday. 

Fakhoury highlighted the importance of the conference as a follow-up to the London donor conference held in 2016, during which the Jordan Compact was showcased as a new approach, necessary to deal with the repercussions of the Syrian crisis. 

“The Brussels conference is an opportunity to showcase the progress in implementing the commitments mentioned in the London donor conference 2016,” Fakhoury said, stressing the importance to maintain the momentum through 2017 and to build on achieved successes. 

He said the conference is a good opportunity to once again highlight the international community’s responsibilities in the region, to foster more commitment towards funding, and to demand priority funding for host communities that include capital projects, in accordance with the Jordan Response Plan 2017-2019. 

The main conference day’s agenda will include a high-level session focusing on the future support to Syria and the region as well as the issues of refugees and host communities, according to Fakhoury. 

Also on Wednesday, the planning minister participated in a panel discussion organised by the European Investment Bank and EDAMA Association for Energy, Water and Environment, another statement from the ministry said.

The panel was held to discuss enhancing Jordan’s economic resilience through boosting the private sector investments.

During the session, Fakhoury briefed the attendees on Jordan’s efforts to sustain its resilience as a core issue, noting that the Kingdom’s stability came from its vision lead by His Majesty King Abdullah and the commitment towards the holistic and accumulative reform programme.