Now in its 14^th year, the Syria Crisis continues to impact 19 million people across major refugee-hosting countries in the region (Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye), requiring urgent humanitarian and development support. This includes almost 6 million refugees from Syria and other nationalities, compared to 4.27 million refugees in 2015, when the 3RP was launched, and nearly 13 million host community members, compared to one million host community members in 2015. Compounding crises, such as the recent escalation in the Israel-Palestine conflict, have exacerbated challenges, significantly impacting regional economies, increasing prices, deepening poverty, regional instability and heightened intra-and inter-communal tensions.

The lack of durable solutions and the protracted nature of Syrians’ displacement have given prominence to providing a more dignified stay for refugees in host countries, supporting resilience for all, and strengthening national systems’ capacities to respond effectively to the increasing needs.  Host governments have generously put in place enabling policies for the socio-economic inclusion of refugees, in terms of access to healthcare and education services, and, to some extent, access to labour market and employment opportunities. However, the deteriorating economic conditions in host countries and the decline in available funding present significant challenges in terms of responsibility-sharing arrangements with host governments to allow them to effectively respond to the Syrian refugee crisis.

This side event will critically examine how to preserve the hard-won gains of the past 13 years and enhance the protection environment and socio-economic inclusion of Syrian refugees in hosting countries. It will also make recommendations for the future of the Syrian refugee response.

Objectives and discussion points

• In light of the changing regional political and security dynamics, highlight the emerging challenges refugees and host communities face in 3RP countries, including through new studies and available data on vulnerability assessments for refugees and host communities and their impact on host countries. Emphasize the critical need for sustained donor support to manage these challenges effectively.
   
• Examine how national and local policies have been and continue to be critical in enhancing the protection environment and socio-economic stability in Syrian refugee hosting countries.
   
• Discuss potential policy and programming solutions for the future of hosting Syrian refugee in the neighbouring countries, with the view to offset socio-economic instability, protect hard-won gains.

Expected Side Event Outcome:

• Clear recommendations for enabling sustainable policies and relevant programmatic approaches in refugee-hosting countries:  
  Address the pressing needs for enhanced responsibility-sharing by the international community, explore areas for socio-economic inclusion of refugees and host communities, and strategic investments in resilience-building. These should aim to maintain socio-economic stability and expand legal and social services for refugees.
• Advocate to continue and expand support to 3RP partners to effectively respond to refugees, host communities, and institutions’ needs:
  Reaffirm support for the 3RP as a pioneering model in seamlessly integrating humanitarian actions with resilience-based development responses.

Event Composition and Structure

Opening remarks by UNHCR and UNDP representatives, setting the scene. Potential co-chair EU/DG NEAR with panellists, including representatives from an international financial institution (World Bank), host government (Jordan), and civil society or/and academic institution to provide a broader perspective. The panel discussion will be complemented by brief statements from the floor.

Potential points for the panel discussion:
- Legal barriers and socio-economic impact: Discuss how current legal barriers limit refugees' effective participation in the economy and society, and how easing these can contribute to socio-economic stability.

- Compounding crises in Syrian refugee hosting countries and the importance of responsibility sharing: Reflect on the impacts/consequences of multiple crises and challenges affecting countries hosting Syrian refugees, and how reducing responsibility-sharing commitments to host countries has a direct impact on the asylum and protection space for refugees and socio-economic stability.

- Ways forward for increased resilience-strengthening and development support: Highlight lessons learned over the past years and how to improve resilience strengthening, covering policies and programmes, including in supporting refugees' self-reliance, enhancing their access to services, including social protection systems, and supporting social stability and inter- and intra-communal cohesion.