Discussions Held to Establish a Multi-Partner Trust Fund to Coordinate and Align Partners' Contributions with Priorities in Syria

A number of Syrian officials and international financial institutions discussed the proposal to establish a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) in collaboration with the World Bank, aiming to coordinate and align partners’ contributions with government-led priorities within a framework that enhances transparency, social inclusion, governance, financial oversight, and implementation quality.

Al-Ikhbariya TV reported that Finance Minister Mohammad Yasser Al-Baruni, yesterday, participated in a roundtable meeting with development partners and international financial institutions, alongside Central Bank of Syria Governor Mohammad Safwat Rusalane and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. The meeting focused on Syria’s economic recovery priorities and ways to strengthen international cooperation and coordination to support the upcoming phase.

The Ministry of Finance stated, via its official accounts, that the meeting addressed the government’s vision and priorities for recovery, foremost among which are restoring basic services and infrastructure, enhancing the efficiency of public institutions, continuing reforms in public finance and the financial sector, and creating a suitable environment for investment and private sector participation.

Participants from the government side emphasized that international cooperation must be based on national priorities and government ownership of the recovery process, and that it should help direct resources toward priority programs and projects, enhance implementation efficiency, and achieve tangible developmental results.

The meeting covered areas of cooperation with partners, including technical assistance, economic and investment cooperation, and financing coordination, all aimed at building institutional capacity, accelerating the implementation of reforms, and preparing and financing priority projects.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Syrian side stressed the importance of continuing dialogue with development partners regarding their priorities, programs, and available support and financing tools, and working to translate areas of cooperation into practical, implementable programs and projects that contribute to supporting economic recovery, improving services, and enhancing investment and growth opportunities in Syria.

Earlier, Al-Baruni and Rusalane held discussions with Katrina Perehudoff, Director of the Capacity Development Institute at the International Monetary Fund, regarding progress made in capacity development and ways to strengthen sound economic management. This took place during the Syrian delegation’s participation in the 2026 Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group in Bangkok, the Thai capital, according to a statement by the Ministry of Finance.