The Center for Civil Society and Democracy (CCSD) participated in the First Syrian–American Business Forum, held in Damascus on July 13, 2026, as part of its commitment to fostering dialogue among diverse stakeholders and supporting spaces that bring together civil society, the private sector, and other actors to discuss issues related to development, recovery, and Syria’s sustainable future.
CCSD was represented at the forum by Board Member Mr. Bashir Al-Hwaidi. The participation provided an opportunity to engage with a wide range of economic stakeholders and institutions, exchange perspectives, and explore discussions around Syria’s economic outlook, potential partnerships, and opportunities for collaboration in the years ahead.
Organized by the Syrian–American Business Council at the Dama Rose Hotel in Damascus, the forum brought together more than 500 participants, including a high-level government delegation comprising the Ministers of Economy, Finance, Communications, and Transport, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, representatives from the Syrian Investment Agency, chambers of commerce and industry, business councils, Syrian and American companies, and business leaders.
The forum featured discussions on the future of the Syrian economy and prospects for Syrian–American economic cooperation, with a focus on key sectors including energy, technology, and trade. It also provided an important platform for networking, exchanging expertise and perspectives, and exploring investment and development opportunities among different stakeholders.
Such forums hold particular importance in creating inclusive approaches that bring together multiple sectors and encourage long-term partnerships. Sustainable development requires collaboration among civil society, the private sector, and public institutions to ensure that recovery and development efforts are more inclusive, responsive, and connected to the needs of communities.
CCSD’s participation in this forum reflects its belief in the importance of meaningful engagement in national and regional platforms that create opportunities for dialogue and partnership-building. Through its involvement, CCSD continues to support initiatives that strengthen collaboration among diverse actors, expand participation in shaping Syria’s future, advance economic development, and contribute to Syria’s integration into regional and international economies while supporting recovery efforts toward a more sustainable future.