As part of its ongoing efforts to support Syrian civil society, the Global Organization for Civil Society Advancement (GLOCA) hosted a high-level meeting on February 13, 2025, bringing together key Turkish and Syrian stakeholders to discuss mechanisms for sustainable collaboration.

The Turkish delegation included:

• Turgay Aldemir, President of Anadolu Federation

• Mustafa El Hussein, President of the Gaziantep Syrian Community

• Mehmet Ali Eminoğlu, President of Bekam Association

• A representative from MÜSİAD, the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association

• A representative from Bülbülzade Foundation

From the Syrian side, the meeting gathered business leaders, legal experts, academics, and civil society activists, along with key representatives from GLOCA:

• WASIM ALHAJ, Executive Director of GLOCA

• Hussam Al-Shahna, Director of the Urban Center

• Mohammad Mayyad, GLOCA’s Syria Office Director

• Shadi Sharaf Al-Din, Representative from Aleppo

• Mohammad Khalilo, Programs Director

Key Discussion Points

The discussions focused on leveraging Turkey’s expertise to:
✅ Develop a cooperative framework enabling Syrian civil society organizations to align with government initiatives.
✅ Organize similar forums in Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus, engaging business leaders and civil society representatives.
✅ Implement joint programs to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and expertise from Bülbülzade Foundation to support development efforts in Syria.

WASIM ALHAJ on Economic Civil Society Organization

WASIM ALHAJ: Executive Director of GLOCA, emphasized the crucial role of structured economic civil society organizations in Syria’s recovery, stating:
"The organization of economic civil society is not just about rebuilding institutions; it is about creating sustainable opportunities for communities, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that economic growth translates into long-term stability."

Turgay Aldemir on Regional Solidarity

Turgay Aldemir, President of Anadolu Federation, highlighted the deep historical ties between Syria and Turkey, stating:
"When Aleppo's wounds are healed, we too shall recover. Strengthening Syrian-Turkish partnerships will be key to fostering long-term economic and social development."

Looking Forward

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to expanding these discussions and implementing collaborative programs that drive regional economic and social advancement.

#CivilSociety #SyrianTurkishCooperation #EconomicDevelopment #KnowledgeTransfer #GLOCA