Defacto Platform took part last week in a workshop titled “Eco Syria” at Lund University in Sweden, which explored the links between conflict, the environment, sustainable development, and ecological protection. The discussions highlighted the relationship between the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and local farmers.
The workshop, held on September 16–17, 2025, was organized as part of the Eco Syria research project funded by the Strategic Research Foundation the Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) and hosted by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) at Lund University.
Participants included Syrian civil society organizations, environmental NGOs, and academics from Syrian and European universities and research centers.
In her remarks, Zozan Alloush, Senior Governance Advisor at Defacto Platform for Dialogue and Development, thanked the organizers, describing the event as an important step in linking scientific research with the needs of local communities in North and East Syria.
Alloush emphasized Defacto’s vision that stability, security, and social peace cannot be achieved without food and water security and the fair, sustainable management of natural resources.
She noted that recurring droughts, water scarcity, and soil degradation have severely affected livelihoods and strained relations between communities and governing institutions.
Unless managed transparently and equitably, she warned, these pressures could become new sources of conflict.
The workshop also examined challenges facing civil society in the region, such as access to seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural extension services.
Alloush stressed that these are not merely technical issues but lie at the heart of environmental justice and are enshrined in international commitments, from the Paris Agreement to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which underscore the interconnections between climate, peace, and development.
She called for turning discussions into actionable plans, including building partnerships among farmers, civil society groups, and experts; investing in sustainable agriculture; reviving local seed systems; strengthening regional and international cooperation on water management; and aligning local policies with international frameworks to secure support and accountability.
Defacto also urged states with advanced environmental and climate policies to extend support to regions such as North and East Syria—not only as humanitarian assistance but as part of a shared international responsibility to address climate change and safeguard food and water security, which are vital pillars of future peace and stability.
The workshop concluded with contributions from participants offering insights and practical recommendations to advance sustainable development programs in the region.
