On September 30 at 12:00 noon, the Valdai Club will hold an online discussion, timed to coincide with the 5th anniversary of the start of Russia’s military operation in Syria.

       On September 30, 2015, Russia’s military operation began in Syria. Within five years, ISIS was destroyed, government forces regained control over most of the country, and work began on political reform and a return to normal life.

       At the same time, the situation remains tense. Syria lives in an ever-present state of emergency and it has been targeted with coercive sanctions by the United States and a number of other countries, which hinder the supply of oil and other important goods. In fact, Syria’s access to resources for the restoration of its infrastructure and economy has been effectively blocked. The political process to resolve the conflict has, so far, failed to yield any results. Fundamental differences persist between foreign countries over the future of Syria.

       In early September, a large Russian delegation visited Damascus, which included Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Following the talks, a plan was announced to sign a new agreement during the next meeting of the Russian-Syrian intergovernmental commission in December, which will determine the relationship between the two countries for the near future in all areas — from trade to culture.

       How will the process of political reconciliation proceed in Syria? What needs to be done to speed up its economic recovery? How can the country be protected from the revival of terrorist groups? What role can Russia play in these processes? What is the future of bilateral relations? The participants in the expert discussion will answer these and other questions.

       Speakers: Moutaz Adham, Head of the Oxfam Mission in Syria;

       Alexander Aksenenok, Vice President of the Russian International Affairs Council;

       Anna Cervi, Director of the Norwegian Refugee Council in Syria; Ruslan Mamedov, Project Manager (MENA) at the Russian International Affairs Council.

       Moderator:

       Ivan Timofeev, Programme Director of the Valdai Club. Working languages: Russian, English

       For accreditation, you must fill out the form on our website and indicate your personal mobile number with the WhatsApp application installed.

       Please send questions for speakers to [email protected] or via WhatsApp to the number: +79269307763 . Be sure to include your name and title, as well as the name of the speaker to whom the question is being addressed. Questions will be asked during the Q&A session.

       A link to the live broadcast of the discussion will be posted on all online platforms used by the Valdai Club: on the website , on Facebook , Vkontakte , Instagram , and Telegram .