Project Hope US Outreach – Washington DC Visit, September 2024

Last week, the GULFSANDS management team once again visited Washington DC to promote and further develop our energy-led humanitarian and economic stimulus initiative Project Hope. 

We held meetings on Capitol Hill as well as with policy advisers and other Syrian experts.  The highlight of our trip was a Private Roundtable session hosted by the Atlantic Council, entitled “Harnessing and Improving the Management of Syria’s Natural Resources as a Key to Peace Building”.

This roundtable event gave us the opportunity to present Project Hope to a range of Syrian experts, policy makers and advisers, legal and sanctions experts, as well as regional representatives and delegates from Syrian society and the INGO community.

Against the backdrop of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Syria, where over 90% of the population lives below the poverty line and 80% are food insecure, and the devastating environmental and health impacts of the current illegal and unsophisticated oil production by affiliates of the Syrian YPG, the feedback we received was very constructive and gives us valuable input into developing the Project Hope concept further. 

Project Hope seeks to accelerate the return of International Energy Companies to their operations Syria, in a lawful and sanction compliant manner, and has the potential to make a huge difference to all Syrian people.  We estimate that it could generate up to US$15-20 billion per annum from resumed oil production, under international oversight, and that these revenues could be used towards humanitarian and early recovery initiatives, including stabilisation, security, employment and health & environmental programmes.  

We discussed how improving the economic conditions for Syrians can help mitigate some of the factors that lead to extremism and the resurgence of ISIS. 

We are grateful to all those we met during this trip, including those who attended the Atlantic Council event. We especially thank Qutaiba Idlbi for organising and expertly moderating the event.

If you are interested to hear more, please visit our website at https://www.gulfsands.com or follow us on Linkedin. Please also let us know your views on Project Hope – we welcome all input. 

https://youtu.be/ANVaO9oAcU4?si=fGi0v1zML43wpncM