Syria: Syrian-Emirati economic forum kicks off in Damascus.

SHOTLIST: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (MAY 11, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF PARTICIPANTS WALKING AROUND, AT THE TABLE / WELCOMING CEREMONYDAMASCUS, SYRIA - MAY 11, 2026: The Syrian-Emirati economic forum, which aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, kicks off in Damascus on Monday. The Syrian Ministry of Economy and Industry said in a statement that the delegation is headed by the UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, and the director of the Ifta Department at the General Authority for Islamic Affairs and Endowments, Omar Habtoor Al Darei. The delegation will take part in activities of the Syrian-Emirati Forum hosted in Damascus, the ministry said, without specifying the timing or duration of the event. The Emirati delegation was received at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Economy Minister Nidal al-Shaar, Endowments Minister Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri, and Syrian Investment Authority chief Talal al-Hilali. Both sides stressed “the importance of strengthening economic and investment cooperation between Syria and the UAE and expanding partnership opportunities in development and production sectors" in a way that supports investment opportunities and joint cooperation, the statement added. On Wednesday, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa met an Emirati economic delegation led by businessman Mohamed Alabbar at the People’s Palace in Damascus to discuss investment and real estate development opportunities in Syria, according to the Syrian presidency. The meetings reflect a serious push by Syria’s administration to move the country from political stabilization toward reconstruction and economic recovery with Gulf, Arab, and regional support following the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad regime. In December 2024, Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia, bringing an end to the Baath Party’s decades of rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by Sharaa was formed in January 2025. *Writing by Mohammad Sio