Saudi Arabia and Qatar have committed to jointly pay approximately $15 million to clear Syria’s outstanding arrears to the World Bank. This move could reopen the door for multilateral development support after more than a decade-long suspension.
The announcement follows discussions during the High-Level Roundtable on Syria, held on the sidelines of the 2025 IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings. According to a joint statement from both countries’ finance ministries, the decision is part of efforts to “accelerate Syria’s economic recovery.”
Syria has been ineligible for World Bank assistance since 2011 due to non-payment of dues and ongoing conflict. The $15 million payment is expected to reinstate Syria’s access to World Bank financing and technical support. This includes potential development funds for sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and public finance, as well as advisory services to support institutional rebuilding and policy reform.
The move signals a coordinated regional push to reintegrate Syria into the global economic system, following its gradual return to the Arab League in 2023 and increasing diplomatic activity across the region.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged international and regional financial institutions to resume and expand their development engagement with Syria. Analysts note this could mark a turning point for post-conflict recovery efforts, though challenges remain over sanctions, governance issues, and on-the-ground implementation.
The World Bank has not yet issued a formal response on the timeline for resuming operations in Syria.
