Geneva Meeting Explores Local Governance Options for Syria

2-4 May 2023  -  Geneva, Switzerland

We go to the picturesque city of Geneva to participate in an event in the realm of Syrian local governance and decentralisation. From May 2nd to 4th, 2023, Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj and other members of the Thematic Working Group (TWG) convened under the framework of the Civil Society Support Room (CSSR) to finalize their collaborative work. This meeting, titled “Geneva Meeting of Thematic Working Group 3: Local Governance and Decentralisation”, marks a milestone in the TWG’s efforts to contribute to Syria's future governance landscape.

The CSSR, established by the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Syria (OSE-Syria) in January 2016, is a platform for civil society actors to engage and provide input into the UN mediation process. The TWG on 'Local Governance and Decentralisation' was formed in September 2022 to harness Syrian civil society's expertise in local governance. Comprising 23 Syrian experts, the group represents a diverse cross-section of Syrian society, including members from various parts of Syria and the diaspora.

The Geneva meeting was the culmination of seven months of intensive online collaboration. The group's efforts were directed towards developing policy inputs and recommendations for the OSE-Syria, aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. Their work focused on the potential role of decentralisation in post-conflict governance and political negotiations in Syria.

A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the group’s findings and recommendations. The TWG critically examined Syria's existing legal framework, particularly Decree 107 of 2011, and its implementation across different regions. The group’s analysis underscored the need for comprehensive legal reforms to enhance local governance and decentralisation.

The TWG's recommendations covered several critical themes:

1. Local governance as a pathway for early recovery and social cohesion.

2. Decentralisation as a means to maintain national unity and territorial integrity.

3. The need to build an inclusive legal framework for local governance, drawing from various Syrian experiences.

4. The importance of reforming Decree 107 of 2011 to address current requirements.

5. The necessity of legislative changes accompanying the decree.

6. Decentralisation as a component of the ongoing political process.

7. The role of local governance in capacity development and political representation.

8. The imperative of broad community participation in future decentralisation discussions.

9. The challenge of human resource development at the local level.

10. The requirement of a regulatory framework linking local councils with the central government.

The TWG’s recommendations are expected to inform future dialogues and decisions regarding Syria’s governance system, aiming to create a more democratic and inclusive society. The meeting in Geneva reinforces the role of civil society in shaping national policies and the future of countries emerging from conflict.

Header Photo

Historic photo of Syria's Parliament Building in Damascus. 1932. Photo © Nasser Rabbat - via MIT Libraries/Dome.  Link >

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