Co‑chaired by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i., the Government-UN Joint Steering Committee brought together representatives from relevant ministries and national authorities, along with the UN Country Team. During the session, participants discussed Syria’s evolving needs, national recovery priorities, and opportunities to enhance early recovery and development programming in preparation for the upcoming United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates noted:
“The Syrian government is committed to leading the national recovery process and strengthening the capacities of state institutions. It stressed that international support must align with national priorities and be channeled through the established sovereign framework to ensure unified coordination and effective implementation.It added that the next phase requires aligning international partners' programs with national plans and adopting an approach focused on sustainability and resilience building to achieve a sustainable, Syrian-led recovery that strengthens trust between the state and society.”The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator added:
“The United Nations is committed to accompanying Syria and its people and working with national institutions to build a resilient and sustainable future.”  Next Steps in Joint WorkStrategic prioritization and Development of the UNSDCF Results Framework in close partnership with national counterpartsNationwide consultations with civil society, youth, women’s groups, private sector, and affected communitiesThe Government and the United Nations reiterated their commitment to a transparent, inclusive, and Syrian-led process grounded in international commitments and aligned with Syria’s recovery and development priorities.   For more information:Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates – SyriaUnited Nations Resident Coordinator Office – Syria

  H.E. Dr. Musaab Alali, the Minister of Health said, “This pivotal moment at the Homs Grand Hospital is of utmost importance, as we witness the fruit of great cooperation between the Ministry of Health, the Government of Japan, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Office for Project Services. The rehabilitation of the kidney building and its equipping with advanced medical technologies reflect our shared commitment to putting people first and enhancing the quality of healthcare. This project will directly serve hundreds of thousands of people of Homs, while its impact will extend to millions in the central region. On behalf of Syria, I extend my sincere thanks to the Government of Japan and our international partners for this vital initiative.” “Japan remains committed to supporting the people of Syria by providing assistance such as this in the health sector, which has endured severe challenges during years of conflict,” said Akihiro Tsuji, Japan’s Charge d’Affaires. With a US$4.7 million contribution from Japan, UNOPS rehabilitated the three-storey Kidney Building, located within the Homs Grand Hospital complex, and installed a specialized incinerator for decentralized, safe and environmentally friendly treatment of medical waste. This system will also serve eight surrounding health facilities in Homs. Muhammad Usman Akram, Director of UNOPS Operational Hub in Amman, said:  “The rehabilitation of the Kidney Building is a concrete step in ensuring that the people in Homs and surrounding areas can access enhanced specialized health services. Thanks to the Government of Japan’s generous support, this facility will not only contribute to restoring essential health services, but also build a safer and more environmentally sustainable system for medical waste. This collaboration between the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Health, UNOPS and WHO demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing critical challenges and restoring health services and infrastructure for communities in need.” Complementing these efforts, WHO is finalizing the installation of advanced medical technologies with US$4.97 million support from the Government of Japan to strengthen specialised care at the hospital. This includes MRI and CT scanners, a lithotripter for treating kidney stones, a fully equipped operating room, an intensive care unit with four beds, and a dialysis unit with 22 machines. New laboratory and sterilization units, along with medical gas and laundry systems, are also being set up to improve patient safety and infection control.  Christina Bethke, Acting WHO Representative in Syria, said: “Today’s visit to the rehabilitated Kidney Building at Homs Grand Hospital marks an important milestone in strengthening health services in central Syria. Thanks to the Government of Japan’s generous support, and through close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and UNOPS, this facility is being restored and equipped to provide specialised care that people urgently need. It is a concrete step in rebuilding Syria’s health system, expanding access to lifesaving services, and ensuring that communities in Homs and beyond can look to a stronger, more resilient health sector in the years ahead.” Once fully operational, the Kidney Building will provide specialized services including dialysis and treatment for kidney stones, as well as intensive care, surgery and referrals for advanced diagnostic investigations. These services will support more than 500,000 people living in northern and western Homs and are expected to improve access to quality care for around 3 million people across central Syria. For media inquiries, please contact:For UNOPS: Anwar Abu Sakieneh, anwarAB@unops.orgFor WHO:  Halah Kabash, kabbashh@who.int; Mrinalini Santhanam, santhanamm@who.int

 “For many years, Korea has stood side by side with the Syrian people. Korea is contributing to help the Syrian people overcome urgent humanitarian and development challenges. Korea itself rose from the ashes of war to achieve remarkable economic and social development, and it is in that spirit of shared experience that we wish to walk alongside Syria. Just as the Korean people once overcame devastation through unity, determination and international support, so too can Syria emerge stronger—with friends such as Korea at its side.” Said H.E. Mr. Geon Gyusuk, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea“This partnership is a testament to what can be achieved when international solidarity meets local commitment. Korea’s support enables us to respond to urgent humanitarian needs while also investing in Syria’s future. Together, we are reviving hope, restoring services, and reaching communities with the tools they need to rebuild their lives.” Said Ms. Meritxell Relaño, UN Resident Coordinator a.i. in SyriaImplemented by UNDP, UNICEF, WFP, and WHO, the projects will deliver life-saving services and sustainable solutions to millions of Syrians:UNDP’s REVIVE Project will clear 550,000 metric tons of debris, rehabilitate essential infrastructure, and create over 4,000 jobs in Aleppo, Homs, Deir-ez-Zor, and Rural Damascus.UNICEF’s Resilience for Children will reach 1.3 million people—including 800,000 children—with improved access to education, clean water, and maternal and child health services.WFP’s REACH Syria Initiative will provide six months of cash-based food assistance to 95,000 severely food-insecure people.WHO’s Health Access Project will deliver 40,000 dialysis sessions, install 20 diagnostic imaging machines, and improve health outcomes for over 160,000 people.The initiatives are aligned with Syria’s Humanitarian Response Plan and national recovery priorities, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between international partners and national authorities.For media inquiries, please contact:- UNDP: Dania Darwish | dania.darwish@undp.org | +963989857937- UNICEF: Monique Awad | mawad@unicef.org | +963950044304 | Hasan Burhan | hburhan@unicef.org | + 963950 044 206- WFP: Hussam Alsaleh | hussam.alsaleh@wfp.org |+963932101139- WHO: Halah Kabash | kabbashh@who.int | +963953888427 | Mrinalini Santhanam | santhanamm@who.int 

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) and UNOPS signed a $1.5 million project to help improve paediatric healthcare in Syria. The national healthcare system is facing critical challenges after years of conflict, marked by extensive damage to critical infrastructure, shortages of medical supplies and equipment, and insufficient electricity in health facilities. The burden of Syria’s health crisis falls most heavily on vulnerable populations, with children experiencing a severe shortage of paediatric care."In the face of immense needs, the people of Syria need urgent and practical solutions, both to respond to their current needs, but also to lay the foundation for an inclusive, resilient and sustainable future. Together, we are building a lifeline for Syria's children, said Jorge Moreira da Silva, UNOPS Executive Director. Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, Supervisor General of KSrelief stated, “We are pleased to partner with UNOPS to strengthen healthcare capacities and enhance emergency health response for children in Northern Syria. Through providing specialized medical equipment for pediatric intensive care units and pediatric cardiac surgery, we are helping to deliver high-quality medical care to Syria's most vulnerable children, building a healthier and brighter future for them and their families.”In close cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Health, the project will bring  vital healthcare services to more than 840,000 children through equipping four national hospitals, namely; Hama Maternity and Children's Hospital, As-Salamiyeh National Hospital and As-Suqaylabiyah National Hospital will be equipped with essential medical equipment to provide urgent medical care for children and establish paediatric intensive care units, addressing the gap in paediatric healthcare across Hama Governorate.In Aleppo, Ibn Roshed Hospital for Cardiac Diseases and Surgery will also be equipped with the medical equipment to establish the Department of Paediatric Cardiac Surgery. This new department will provide critical medical care for children with heart conditions.It is envisaged that this project will contribute to the UN Strategic Framework (UNSF) 2022-2025 Syria and SDG3: good health and wellbeing.