A workshop recently organized in Damascus by the United Nations Development Program in coordination with the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, raised Western question marks over whether the event was in line with the stances of UN chief Antonio Guterres concerning the Syrian conflict and the need to find a political solution through Security Council Resolution 2254.
Critics said the workshop “legitimized” cooperation between the UNDP and the Syrian government.
However, other observers defended it, considering the event part of a series of workshops held by the UNDP in Amman and other areas to discuss local governance in Syria as part of a program for the post-conflict phase, launched by donor western states via the United Nations in 2015.
The national workshop on the implementation of law of local administration was held by the Syrian Ministry of Local Administration and Environment in coordination with the UNDP on Feb. 20-21.
It was attended by Syrian ministers and UNDP Regional Director in Syria David Akopyan, in addition to heads of local councils in areas liberated by regimes forces, such as Zabadani, Homs and Aleppo.
Participants discussed the importance of active participation to enable administrative units play their role in achieving local development and expending decentralization to provide better services for the people.
According to Western diplomats, the workshop was “intentionally” held on the eve of a third donors conference that the European Union will organize in Brussels between March 12 and 14.
They said the workshop "legitimizes cooperation with the (Syrian) government on matters that go beyond humanitarian assistance" to the country, mainly on issues linked to the Kurds, which have called for self-rule.
