Full Breakdown
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa Opens Arab Media Summit with a Blueprint for Syria’s Post-Sanctions Revival
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Keynote Dialogue “Syria of the Future”
On September 15, the Arab Media Summit began at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivered the opening keynote, titled “Syria of the Future,” outlining Syria’s economic outlook, regional security role, and the media’s responsibility in the country’s transformation.
Background & Context
Syria has endured one of the world’s most extensive sanctions regimes, dating back to 1979. President al-Sharaa credited diplomatic mediation by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, President Erdogan, and former U.S. President Donald Trump for lifting those sanctions, calling it “a historic decision.” The 24th edition of the summit gathered more than 400 speakers from 23 countries to discuss media, technology, and regional geopolitics.
Data & Statistics
- Syrian GDP: ? $60 bn in 2010 -> ? $20 bn in 2024 -> $32 bn in 2025.
- Projected GDP: $50 bn in 2026 and a target of $200 bn within the next 5-10 years, contingent on regional stability.
- Dubai’s media sector now contributes 1.4 % of the emirate’s GDP, up from 0.5 % in 2023, with 25,000 registered media companies and a target of 3 % by 2033.
- Investment highlights: DP World’s stake in the Port of Tartus, projects by Emirati businessman Mohamed Alabbar, and broader Gulf interest in Syrian infrastructure and agriculture.
Official Statements & Responses
- Dr Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, head of the UAE Cybersecurity Council, warned that kinetic strikes on regional infrastructure are increasingly mirrored by cyber-attacks and called for an international convention to govern state conduct in cyberspace.
- Dr Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, chairman of the UAE Federal National Council’s defence, interior and foreign affairs committee, urged media to lead “people-to-people diplomacy” and emphasized respect for the rule of law in a multicultural society of roughly 200 nationalities.
Why It Matters / Impact
Al-Sharaa’s vision positions Syria as a strategic trade corridor linking East and West, with potential to supply food for 70-75 million people using existing agriculture and over 100 million with modern technology. The summit’s emphasis on media credibility aligns with his call for journalists to avoid politicisation, underscoring the role of information in post-conflict reconstruction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Through mediation carried out by Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Erdogan with President Trump, a historic decision was taken and the sanctions on Syria were lifted. I believe Syria was born again after the sanctions were lifted, and the road opened before it. What remains now is policy, procedures, and making the right and sound choices.” — Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian president
- “Syria is being transformed into a story being told across the world,” — Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian president
- “It is a heavy burden to work in the media, to fact-check and to stay away from politicising.” — Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syrian president
Timeline
- September 15 – Summit opens; al-Sharaa delivers keynote.
- September 17 – Summit concludes after 175 sessions and 400 speakers.
