1. Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Ham Sang-wook attended the Fourth Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region co-hosted by the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) between 17:00, June 30 and 01:00, July 1, Korea Standard Time, in the virtual format. Deputy Minister Ham announced that the ROK government plans to offer approximately 13 million U.S. dollars in 2020 in support of refugees and migrants of the Syrian Arab Republic and neighboring countries in the region.

2. The Conference was held to mobilize solid support and contribution of the international community with regard to the humanitarian crisis in Syria, which has continued since the outbreak of a conflict in 2011 and has been further exacerbated by the spread of COVID-19.

° During the Conference, a total of 84 delegations including from 57 countries, international organizations and civil societies expressed concern over the gravity of the humanitarian crisis in Syria and called for a political solution to bring an end to the conflict. Participants stressed that it is a critical moment to renew and strengthen support to Syria and the region despite challenges of combating COVID-19. The participants also shared concern over the difficulty in carrying out humanitarian, resilience, and development activities due to adverse effect of COVID-19, including restrictions on cross-border travel and economic difficulties.

3. Deputy Minister Ham stressed that the only sustainable solution to the conflict in Syria is the political solution toward a “Syrian-owned and Syrian-led” peace process. Moreover, he affirmed that the ROK government will not only extend a total of 12 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region but also continue to carry out development cooperation projects for Syrian refugees.

° He went on to convey the ROK government’s will to continue taking part in the efforts to respond to the new crisis of COVID-19 as well as to the enduring humanitarian crisis in Syria. He added that the ROK government will keep offering assistance to countries in need of support in COVID-19 response in line with President Moon Jae-in’s announcement of contributing up to 100 million U.S. dollars on the margins of the World Health Assembly in May.

4. Following the recent announcement of its plans to provide humanitarian assistance to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Republic of Yemen, the ROK government has renewed its humanitarian and political support for Syria and the region along with the international community at this conference. The ROK will continue to take an active part in the international community’s effort to help countries and people in need.