On the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), announced a joint initiative to support the Syrian Arab Republic. The initiative provides US$89 million in funding through UNDP to ensure the continuity of essential public services across Syria over a three-month period.
The funding will enable payment of salaries for government employees responsible for core functions related to the delivery of basic public services. By maintaining these critical services, the initiative aims to strengthen social protection, foster stability, and promote inclusive socio-economic recovery throughout Syria.
H.E. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, emphasized that the grant reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting development in Syria, highlighting collaboration with partners to advance growth and the country’s development journey. Similarly, Mr. Fahad Hamad Al-Sulaiti, Director General of QFFD, stated that the initiative represents a shared vision to promote stability and resilience in Syria. He noted that investing in essential public services is both an urgent humanitarian necessity and a strategic long-term investment in sustainable development, human dignity, and peace.
The Syrian Government expressed gratitude to QFFD and SFD for their support, which contributes to financing a portion of civil servants’ salaries and reinforces efforts toward financial and economic reforms. H.E. Mohamad Yisr Barnieh, Syrian Minister of Finance, highlighted that the initiative strengthens the foundations of stability and socio-economic recovery while supporting the resilience of the Syrian people.
UNDP Acting Administrator Haoliang Xu acknowledged the contributions of the Qatari and Saudi development funds, noting that the support addresses immediate needs while laying the groundwork for long-term recovery. Xu emphasized that the initiative will ensure delivery of vital functions, including education and basic services, while rebuilding trust within communities. Implementation of the initiative will align closely with Syria’s national priorities, forming a foundation for sustainable development and long-term recovery.
