Damascus | Steps Syria for Community Development Foundation
Damascus, May 8, 2025 – In its ongoing efforts to raise awareness about pressing national issues, the Steps Syria Foundation organized a pivotal dialogue seminar at its hall in Damascus, titled “Economic Sanctions Imposed on Syria and Their Impact on the Humanitarian and Living Situation.” This workshop, a continuation of a previous seminar held in Idlib, aimed to formulate a comprehensive action plan and recommendations to address the effects of sanctions on the Syrian people.
In-Depth Discussion of Sanctions and Their Impact
Twelve experts and actors in the legal and economic fields, in addition to male and female activists from civil society organizations, participated in the seminar, enriching the discussions with depth and balance. The seminar opened with a brief overview of the background of the sanctions imposed on Syria, focusing on their direct and cumulative effects on the Syrian economy and vulnerable groups, especially women and persons with disabilities.
The discussion also touched upon the international conditions for lifting sanctions and their compatibility with the concept of national sovereignty, which sparked a lively dialogue on the possibility of positive interaction with the international community to leverage legal and political opportunities.
Unified Recommendations from Damascus and Idlib: Towards Joint National Action
A significant part of the seminar was dedicated to reviewing the recommendations put forth by participants in the Idlib seminar. These recommendations called for adherence to relevant international resolutions concerning Syrian affairs, improving the local economic situation, enhancing cooperation with civil society organizations, and seeking humanitarian exemptions.
Participants stressed the necessity of reforming the banking system, activating local economic resources, and urging the United Nations to fulfill its responsibilities in reconsidering the sanctions after the former regime’s demise.
Profound National Impact and Future Prospects
This workshop underscores the importance of involving various Syrian parties in the sanctions discussion to enhance collective understanding and unify efforts towards mitigating the humanitarian and economic impact. Linking civil and political efforts between different Syrian governorates and expanding participation to include representatives from various religious and national components will form a strong moral and political leverage point before the international community.
From the heart of the capital Damascus, an open discussion on the effects of international sanctions.
Seminar Link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=671734679045661
