International donors pledge €5.8bn to help new leaders rebuild Syria

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (L) with High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (R) before the Brussels Conference "Standing with Syria: meeting the needs for a successful transition", in Brussels on 17 March, 2025. AFP - NICOLAS TUCAT

International donors gathered in Brussels on Monday pledged almost €6 billion ($6.5 billion) in aid for Syria, hoping to help new leaders rebuild the country following the ouster of President Bashar Assad in December.

Western and regional powers are desperate to steer Syria onto the road to stability after 14 years of civil war that have sent millions of refugees over its borders.