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BRUSSELS – The Day of Dialogue of the VIII Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region' opened on Tuesday with reaffirmation by the international community to support Syrian people, refugees and their host communities.

Hosted by the European Union for the eighth year, the event focused on ways to strengthen the humanitarian, financial and political support for the people of Syria as well as supporting civil society organisations' work.

During the morning session, the Emirati Jordanian Camp Adel Khamees community members urged the international community to continue supporting Jordan.

“I come here carrying many messages from Syrian refugees from Jordan that urge the international community for continued sustainable support to Jordan’s efforts in integrating refugees in their local communities,” Khamees told the gathering.

By ensuring strong support, Khamees, a Syrian refugee residing in Jordan, maintained, “the international community will contribute to securing the well-being and livelihood of Syrian refugees in Jordan”.

“Supporting the Kingdom’s efforts will work to provide better opportunities in work, education, health and other necessary fields to ensure that Syrian refugees live in a dignified manner,” Khamees stressed.

In his keynote address, European Commissioner for Crisis Management at the  Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Janez Lenarčič said “Syria has grown into one of the biggest humanitarian crises and one of the largest refugee crises in the world”.

Every year the situation worsens with little progress made towards finding a solution, Lenarčič told around 800 participants attending the Brussels Conference including representatives from the Syrian civil society (from Syria, the neighbouring countries and the diaspora), main UN stakeholders and agencies, EU Member States, third countries representatives as well as international NGOs.

However, Lenarčič maintained, “this event also gives me hope”.

“Looking around, I see undiminished determination and commitment to build a better Syria. You should know that Europe stands with you. With this event, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting Syrians both in the country and across this region,” Lenarčič stressed.

Lenarčič pointed out that “the fabric of the Syrian society is falling apart with over 70 per cent of Syrians requiring humanitarian aid”.

For years Syrians have lived with “the constant threat of violence from arbitrary arrest and torture to forced disappearance and killings,” the fabric of Syrian society is falling apart,” Lenarčič stressed.

“We know that the current situation in Syria is beyond desperate. But we must not lose hope. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the Syrian people,” added Lenarčič. 

The EU envoy listed actions to adopt including demanding respect for international humanitarian law and Human Rights Law, the need for more long-term perspective and more funding.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the EU together "with our member states has mobilised over 33 billion euros in humanitarian, stabilisation and resilience assistance for this crisis," Lenarčič stated.

“This makes Europe one of the world's largest donors to Syria. But this alone is not enough. We urgently need more funding from more donors,” Lenarčič stressed.

During the one-day event, participants from Jordan, Lebanon and Syria urged the international community to adopt several measures to ensure the safety and well-being of Syrians residing inside and outside Syria.

Some of the recommendations focused on unifying the message that is transmitted to the international community regarding the needs and situation of the Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey.

The country representatives also called for supporting local and internal organisations that offer services to Syrian refugees in the three countries.

In addition, they called on the international community to support youth and women’s initiatives and projects.

There is also an urgent need to increase higher education scholarships for Syrian refugees, according to the country representatives to empower refugees to become agents of change.

They also stressed the need to support awareness-raising projects that focus on combating early marriages that are depriving young Syrian girls of education and enjoying a healthy childhood.

In addition, the representatives called for ensuring the necessary expanding work opportunities for Syrian refugees to join the labour market easily.

Work on a narrative that would show that refugees are an asset and not a problem for a certain country, according to the recommendations.

The recommendations added that there is a need to rehabilitate damaged facilities that provide essential services to Syria.

In her closing remarks, Acting Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service Belén Martínez Carbonell said the Brussels Conference was an opportunity for Syrian civil society and stakeholders to have discussions that covered matters of principles.

The EU, its member states and the international community will continue to stand with the Syrian meeting, Carbonel told the gathering.

“We find it essential to build a peaceful Syria for tomorrow,” Carbonel added.

The Ministerial meeting that will be chaired by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell, will take place on May 27 , and brings together State actors – notably, EU Member States, Syria's neighbouring States, and third countries – as well as representatives from the United Nations and other international organisations, to mobilise vital financial support to address the most pressing needs of Syrians and their host communities in neighbouring countries.

The EU has been organising an annual conference in Brussels since 2017 to support the future of Syria.

The conference aims to mobilise the international community behind the UN-led efforts to achieve a lasting comprehensive political solution to the Syria crisis, in line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

AMMAN — The Northern Military Zone thwarted on Monday an infiltration attempt by four individuals from Syria into Jordan.

A source from the Jordan Armed Forces–Arab Army (JAF) said that rules of engagement were applied, and the individuals were apprehended and handed over to the relevant security authorities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The source stressed that the JAF will continue to "firmly" counter any threat to the Kingdom’s borders, and will foil any attempts intended to undermine and destabilise the Kingdom's security to terrorise its citizens.

AMMAN — The industrial producer price index decreased by 1.56 per cent in the first quarter of 2024, reaching 107.21 points compared with 108.91 for the same period in 2023.

Prices of transformative industries decreased by 1.92 per cent, and prices of extractive industries decreased by 2.33 per cent, while electricity prices increased by 4.65 per cent compared with the cumulative index for the first three months in 2024 and 2023, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

According to the monthly report of the Department of Statistics (DoS) on Tuesday, prices of industrial producers decreased by 1.42 per cent in March of 2024, reaching 107.62 points compared with 109.17 for the same month in 2023.

On the commodity level, contributing to the decrease in the March index of 2024 compared with the same month of 2023, prices of transformative industries decreased by 1.66 per cent, and prices of extractive industries by 4.32 per cent, while electricity prices increased by 5.08 per cent.

According to the report, the industrial producer price index rose by 0.44 per cent in March of 2024, reaching 107.62 points compared with 107.14 for the previous month of the same year.

On a monthly basis, the overall industrial producer price index for March 2024 increased compared with the previous month due to an increase in transformative industries prices by 0.57 per cent, while extractive industry prices decreased by 0.91 per cent, and electricity prices by 0.13 per cent.  

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi met on Tuesday, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, discussing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent any Israeli attack on Rafah.

The ministers discussed the dangerous deterioration and escalation in the West Bank, emphasising the need to initiate a comprehensive plan to end the occupation and establish a just and comprehensive peace within the framework of a two-state solution.

The meeting followed up on discussions held during the Six-Party Consultative Ministerial Meeting with the US, which took place on Monday in Riyadh as part of the Arab-Islamic effort aimed at achieving a complete ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring the protection of civilians, and delivering sufficient and sustainable humanitarian aid throughout the strip.  

AMMAN — The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union (EU) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF), are actively promoting green investment in Jordan through the EBRD’s Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) with a financing package to Tamweelcom.

The package, totalling $4 million (€3.6 million), includes $1 million (€922,000) in co-financing from the GCF, complemented by incentive grants provided by the EU. Additionally, technical assistance supported by the EBRD, EU and GCF, the EBRD will be provided, as announced on its website on Tuesday.

This facility aims to provide financial support to the private sector and local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to invest in climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies and services.

Under this initiative, Tamweelcom will enhance its capacity to provide awareness-raising activities, targeting women and men who are sub-borrowers of green financing or loans for climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. Sub-borrowers will also enjoy cash-back incentive upon the successful implementation of eligible projects.

A comprehensive technical cooperation package will support the preparation, implementation and monitoring of the project. Tamweelcom staff will undergo training in gender-responsive green finance to address gender-specific challenges in both supply and demand.

The loan agreement was signed by Mike Taylor, EBRD Head of Financial Institutions for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, and Basem Khanfar, Chief Executive Officer at Tamweelcom.

Mike Taylor said: “The EBRD is delighted to sign a new agreement under its Green Economy Financing Facility in Jordan. We are proud of our partnership with the EU and GCF and we hope this collaboration with Tamweelcom will boost on-lending to the private sector. We also hope it will inspire Jordanian small businesses to invest in greener products, fostering a more sustainable and gender-inclusive impact.”

Thibaut Moyer, Deputy Head of Cooperation for the European Union Delegation to Jordan, said: “The EU welcomes the mobilisation of financing institutions, notably Tamweelcom, in advancing development cooperation to enhance climate action. This will strengthen the private sector through MSMEs, reflecting the EU’s commitment to empowering the private sector in driving economic development and job creation.”

Basem Khanfar, CEO of Tamweelcom, affirmed: “This agreement with the EBRD under the Green Economy Financing Facility in Jordan, in partnership with the EU and GCF, is a significant commitment by Tamweelcom to the global sustainability goals by offering green financing solutions and promoting sustainable practices, especially for micro and small enterprises (MSEs). By accessing new and sustainable financial products and services, MSEs will be able to invest in energy-efficient machinery, renewable energy or waste-reduction techniques, aiming for positive environmental benefits and the mitigation of climate change.”

Tamweelcom is one of the leading microfinance institutions in Jordanian, serving around 100,000 clients through 39 branches. Established in 1999 as a non-profit company, it aims to provide responsible and client-responsive financial services that align with international standards. With a focus on environmental and social responsibility, Tamweelcom seeks to assist MSEs, empower entrepreneurs, help low-income earners improve their standard of living, and increase job opportunities.

Since 2012 the EBRD has provided over €2 billion through 71 projects in Jordan, with 71 per cent dedicated to the private sector, including financial support to the Jordanian banking sector through MSME loans, subordinated debt and trade finance facilities.

AMMAN — The Jordanian Armed Forces – Arab Army (JAF), in cooperation with several other countries, carried out on Tuesday seven airdrops of relief aid to the North of the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

JAF said in a statement that the airdrops were part of Jordan’s sustained efforts to support the resilience of the Palestinians and mitigate the impacts of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, the Jordan News Agency reported. 

The operation saw the participation of one aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, one from Egypt, one from the United Kingdom, three from the US and one from Germany.

The JAF reaffirmed its commitment to continue delivering aid via an air bridge, through flights from Marka Airport to Al Arish International Airport, airdrops on the Gaza Strip, and land aid convoys.

JAf also said that this initiative is a testament to Jordan’s ongoing efforts to alleviate the suffering faced by the Palestinians in the besieged strip, particularly in light of the challenging circumstances imposed by the Israeli aggression on Gaza since October 7th.

Since the onset of the war, the JAF has conducted 90 airdrops, in addition to 225 airdrops carried out in partnership with other countries.