Brussels, Belgium, March 17, 2025 – His Highness, Aga Khan and Rahim al-Hussani Aga Khan V, said at the ninth annual meeting of the European Commission in support of Syria, “Status with Syria: Meet the needs of successful transitions.” He pledged a minimum of 100 million euros over two years on behalf of Ismaili Imamat and the Aga Khan Development Network to address the country’s urgent humanitarian and development needs.
Aiming to promote international support for Syria’s comprehensive transition, the conference focused on “the most important humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction support” of Syria and its neighbors.
In his first public announcement since taking office as the 50th Genetic Imam of Shia Ismaili Muslims and Chairman of the Agakhan Development Network (AKDN) – the late Prime Minister Karim Agakhan IV, who died on February 4, 2025 after his father’s death – his Highness said.
“We are today making a minimum of 100 million euros available for the next two years to recover in Syria. We aim to invest in humanitarian energy and other important areas of the economy, expanding our healthcare and education offerings, by all stakeholders.
It is our beloved hope and expectation that the new Syrian government supports the enlightened, pluralistic and inclusive government promises for all Syrians, regardless of gender, faith or background. Read the statement
The conference was co-hosted by Kaja Kallas, a senior official for European Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and vice-president of the European Commission. Dubravkaśuica, EU Mediterranean Commissioner. Haja Rabib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparation and Response to Crisis. Syrian interim foreign minister was present along with representatives from the United Nations, Syrian neighbours, and other regional and international partners. The event was built at the Paris Conference on Syria on February 13th, 2025.
“We must spare our efforts to support a comprehensive transition that gives all Syrians the opportunity to rebuild their country in line with their aspirations,” Kaja Karas said.
On the sidelines of the meeting, His Highness met with His Excellency Assad Hassan al-Shaibani, interim foreign minister of Syria. Tom Fletcher, UN Governor General, UN Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, OCHA. Achim Steiner, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Abdallah Al Dardari, Executive Director of UNDP. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Neils Annen, Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, Secretary of State for the German government. Natasha Francesci, deputy director of the US State Department’s Near Eastern Affairs Bureau.
The Aga Khan Development Network has been involved in the socioeconomic and cultural development of Syria for over a quarter of a century. In 2012, AKDN’s development program pivoted to focus on crisis response, reaching over 2 million people. The country is experiencing deepening economic collapse and humanitarian catastrophe. Over 80% of Syrians have fallen into poverty over the years of war, sanctions and destruction. Access to clean water has deteriorated significantly, with nearly 60% of the population suffering from food insecurity. Half of Syrian medical facilities remain unfunctional. Over 2.4 million children have graduated from school. Power supply plummeted.
AKDN is working with other issues, including the European Commission, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, and the United Nations Agency, to address many of these issues. AKDN has over 780 staff on the ground, including technical and humanitarian experts, community mobilization, engineers, healthcare professionals, mobile health teams, and cultural recovery and financial inclusion experts. Akdn works through an established community-led organization supported by more than 700 volunteers, including many of the Shia Ismaili Muslim community that lived in Syria for centuries.
Syria’s long-term crisis is at a critical time. Shift dynamics creates important opportunities to address urgent needs, promote resilience and build social cohesion.
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Notes to the editor:
Akdn is seeking to improve access to opportunities and quality of life for some of Syria’s poorest and marginalized people, who have been active since 1999.
We work directly for seven governors and partner with over 200 local organizations to reach 13 governors.
Our activities span humanitarian aid, health and hygiene regulations, microfinance, education support, strengthening agriculture and small businesses, supporting civil society, and cultural recovery. Over the past five years:
We supported 500,000 people who received emergency food and nutrition assistance. It provided 1 million people with important health, water and sanitation services. It served 800,000 people through civil society intervention, enabling local ownership and social cohesion. It supported 50,000 farmers to increase food security, climate and economic resilience.
For more information about akdn’s work, please visit the.akdn
