Saudi Arabia and Qatar have reached an agreement to jointly pay approximately $15 million to settle Syria’s arrears with the World Bank.
A joint Saudi-Qatari statement emphasized: “In continuation of the ongoing efforts by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar to support and accelerate the recovery of the Syrian Arab Republic’s economy, and in light of recent discussions held during the High-level Roundtable on Syria on the margin of the 2025 WBG/IMF Spring Meetings, the ministries of finance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Qatar jointly announce their commitment to settle Syria’s outstanding arrears to the World Bank Group, totaling around $15 million.”
Resuming World Bank support for Syria
This commitment will facilitate the World Bank Group in resuming its support and operations in Syria after a suspension lasting more than 14 years. It will also unlock Syria’s access to crucial financial assistance in the near term, which is essential for the development of critical sectors. Additionally, this support will provide technical assistance that contributes to institutional rebuilding, capacity development, and policy formulation and reform to drive sustainable development.
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Call for expanded development engagement in Syria
Saudi Arabia and the Qatar urge international and regional financial institutions to promptly resume and expand their development engagement in Syria. According to the joint statement, both countries advocate for enhanced efforts, in alignment with their mandates, to improve the lives of the Syrian people and fulfill their aspirations for a future characterized by opportunity and well-being, thereby contributing to the broader stability and prosperity of the region.
