Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States, delivered a high-level lecture at Yalova University on 08.01.2026.
The event, held at the Faculty of Theology Conference Hall, commenced with opening remarks by Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Taner Tatar. Underscoring the economic dimensions of global migration, Prof. Tatar stated: "Syria’s recovery, its rebirth from the ashes, and the preservation of its unity and territorial integrity are of vital importance to Turkey. I remain hopeful that Syria will return to the era of prosperity it once enjoyed."
Following the recitation of his curriculum vitae, Dr. Al Dardari took the podium. Expressing his aspiration to one day address the audience in Turkish, he delivered his presentation in English, evaluating the economic impacts of the ongoing transformation in Syria on the Turkish economy. Dr. Al Dardari’s relationship with Yalova University dates back to its founding period; in the 2010-2011 Academic Year, while serving as the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs of the Syrian Arab Republic, he delivered the university’s inaugural lecture and was presented with an Honorary Doctorate degree.
Syria’s Economic Recovery: A Transformative Opportunity for Turkey
Opening his presentation, Dr. Al Dardari emphasized that the developments since December 8, 2024, have fostered a positive atmosphere indicating a return to normalization in Syria. He suggested the potential for projects that strengthen brotherhood and neighborly ties, such as the revitalization of the Hejaz Railway, which serves as a symbol of not only economic and religious connection but also cultural fraternity.
Highlighting Turkey as the preeminent economic power in the Levant (Bilād al-Shām) region, Dr. Al Dardari noted that despite the challenges faced between 2011 and 2023, Turkey remained Syria’s most significant economic partner, as both nations continue to build upon a historically robust foundation.
Expressing satisfaction that the 2011 Syrian crisis did not directly impede Turkey’s steady growth, Dr. Al Dardari shared critical data regarding the return of displaced populations. He noted that as of January 2026, half of the 6 million Syrian refugees abroad have returned to their homeland. He emphasized that Syrians returning from Turkey—having established strong business ties, gained significant experience, and acquired Turkish language skills—will continue to enhance bilateral economic relations. Notably, Syrians currently hold 50% of all foreign business licenses in Turkey.
Regarding the labor market, Dr. Al Dardari highlighted that Syrians—active in textiles, seasonal agriculture, and the reconstruction efforts following the February 6 earthquakes—account for only approximately 0.4% of the low-skilled unemployment rate. He also reminded the audience that Syrians have established 33,000 industrial enterprises in Turkey over the past decade.
Touching upon Turkey’s role as a transcontinental bridge, Dr. Al Dardari noted that Turkey is the most vital trade partner for all countries in the region. He pointed out that transit trade in Turkey rose from 13% to 27% between 2005 and 2012 due to speed and safety advantages, though it temporarily dipped to 16% following the Syrian crisis.
Concluding with growth projections, Dr. Al Dardari stated that Syria is expected to maintain an annual growth rate of 7% until 2035. He emphasized the importance of encouraging Turkish investment in Syria, noting that Turkey’s sophisticated economic experience, effective use of Artificial Intelligence, and high capacity for vocational training will be pivotal in Syria’s reconstruction. This partnership is projected to generate $2 billion in direct annual income for Turkey and a 6% increase in indirect foreign trade revenue through new export opportunities to the Arab world.
The organization was coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülgönül Bozoğlu Batı, with simultaneous interpretation provided by Asst. Prof. Dr. Haluk Doğan. The conference was attended by a distinguished group of dignitaries and academics, including; Prof. Dr. Seyit Sertçelik, Chief Advisor to the President, Barbaros Binicioğlu, Former Mayor of Yalova, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adil Bor, Religious Services Counselor in Tehran, Prof. Dr. Fethi Güngör and Prof. Dr. Hasan Kaplan, Former and Current Deans of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Bedrettin Kesgin, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. İsa Karaman, Ethics Committees Coordinator, Prof. Dr. Selami Özcan, Head of the Department of Business Administration, Prof. Dr. Elif Yüksel Oktay, Head of the Department of Labor Economics and Industrial Relations, Prof. Dr. Zelha Altınkaya, Head of the Department of International Relations, Prof. Dr. Cengiz Sunay, Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Prominent business leaders, NGO representatives, and numerous faculty members.
Following the presentation of gifts and a commemorative photo session, Dr. Al Dardari engaged in individual discussions with participants before departing for Istanbul following a luncheon held in his honor.
