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Syria: Building on 13 Years of Continuous Presence, Expertise France and the AFD Group Strengthen Their Commitment to Renewed Franco-Syrian Cooperation
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On the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Damascus, Syria, on 6–7 July 2026, the AFD Group reaffirmed and strengthened its commitment to enhanced Franco-Syrian cooperation. During the visit, Expertise France was formally integrated into the AFD/Proparco Establishment Agreement, marking the agency's official registration in the country, while two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the Central Bank of Syria and the Ministry of Health. Building on thirteen years of Expertise France's continuous engagement in support of the Syrian people, these agreements pave the way for an expanded presence of the AFD Group in Syria.
During his visit to Damascus on 6 July, President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed France's commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction and to helping establish the conditions for an inclusive, lasting and stable peace for the benefit of the Syrian people. As part of this historic visit, Jérémie Pellet, Chief Executive Officer of Expertise France, signed three agreements that will strengthen the AFD Group's engagement in the country. These milestones reflect a renewed mobilisation based on the complementarity of the Group's three entities: AFD providing public sector financing, Expertise France acting as the implementing agency, and Proparco supporting private sector development. Present in Syria since 2013, Expertise France will further scale up its activities in the coming months.
Thirteen years of commitment in support of the Syrian people
For the past thirteen years, Expertise France has been implementing projects in response to the Syrian crisis, initially focusing on northern Syria in areas including access to basic services, healthcare, support to civil society, agriculture and economic recovery. The agency has managed a total portfolio of nearly €75 million across 25 projects, financed primarily by the French Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS) (39%) and the European Union (38%).
Consistent with its localised and participatory approach, Expertise France has established partnerships with more than 90 local civil society organisations and awarded over 150 grants, benefiting more than 3.8 million direct beneficiaries.
Since 2025, Expertise France has been working alongside the Syrian Government to strengthen institutional capacities. In partnership with AFD and with French funding, the agency is implementing two projects: technical assistance to the Central Bank of Syria in cooperation with the French Treasury Directorate General, and technical support to public institutions and feminist civil society organisations under the regional Women, Peace and Security Facility.
Following the political transition, Expertise France has also strengthened its cooperation with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and is implementing two programmes financed by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs' Crisis and Support Centre (CDCS): SHERE, which supports the recovery and reconstruction of the health sector, with a particular focus on maternal, neonatal and child health, and MAZRA, which aims to foster sustainable economic recovery and improve livelihoods in targeted areas of the Rural Damascus and Ar-Raqqa governorates. These initiatives build on the continuity of the HERNES (health) and SABIR (local recovery and improved living conditions) programmes, implemented since 2019.
Three agreements paving the way for a stronger French and AFD Group presence in Syria
During the visit to Damascus, the Chief Executive Officer of Expertise France signed three agreements that will enable the agency—and more broadly the AFD Group—to expand its activities in Syria:
- an amendment integrating Expertise France into the AFD/Proparco Establishment Agreement, signed by the Director of the Department of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr Qutaiba QADDISH ;
- a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Bank of Syria, signed by H.E. Mr Safwat Raslan, Governor of the Central Bank of Syria;
- a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Health, signed by H.E. Dr Musab Nazzal Al-Ali, Minister of Health.
Over the past twelve months, Expertise France has strengthened its dialogue with the Syrian authorities and progressively redeployed its activities across the country. This evolution reflects an approach based on the humanitarian-development nexus, addressing immediate needs while laying the foundations for sustainable recovery and strengthening national capacities to deliver essential public services.
the AFD Group and Expertise France are exploring several new areas of intervention that could simultaneously contribute to the country's stabilisation, economic recovery and sovereignty, and the resilience of Syrian communities. Building on the complementarity of the AFD Group's entities, AFD and Proparco will continue to work alongside the Syrian authorities to support the country's recovery and long-term development.
Press contacts
Jade KAHHALEH : Syria porfolio manager - jade.kahhaleh@expertisefrance.fr
Nicolas JACQUEMARD : communication coordinator, Expertise France HQ – nicolas.jacquemard@expertisefrance.fr
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About the Agence française de développement Group
AFD Group finances and drives the transition to a fairer, safer and more resilient world,working with its partners to support communities all over the world. Drawing on the complementary strengths of its entities – Agence Française de Développement for public financing, Proparco for responsible private investment, and Expertise France for technical expertise – the Group is ideally positioned to meet all sustainable development challenges.
Working in over 160 countries, including France’s Overseas Territories and Departments, the Group adapts its operations to the realities on the ground, actively supporting local initiatives. With over 4,000 projects, whose objectives are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), AFD Group works on behalf of the French people, together with all stakeholders committed to economic development and the preservation of common goods: climate, biodiversity, peace, gender equality and global health. Working by your side, toward a world in common.
