The Syrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor issued a set of decisions regarding the work of the Syria Trust for Development, an organization linked to the wife of the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad, on Thursday, February 6.

Decision “107” of the ministry stipulates the adoption of the name “Syrian Development Organization” as the official name for the institution, replacing the previous name.

The decision is effective from the date of its issuance and is a confirmation of the upcoming strategic direction of the institution to enhance sustainable development in Syria.

Decision “108” stated the approval of the statute derived from a committee tasked with this matter, and this statute is considered effective from the date of its issuance in order to enhance transparency and good governance within the institution and provide a legal framework that organizes its work and defines its tasks and powers.

The ministry also decided to form a Board of Trustees for the “Syrian Development Organization” consisting of five members, tasked with its duties in accordance with the new vision of the organization and its approved basic system under decision “108.”

As for decision “106,” it stipulated the adoption of recommendations submitted by the assigned committee and the resumption of the institution’s work according to these recommendations, ensuring the achievement of the desired goals and enhancing work effectiveness.

On December 24, 2024, the ministry announced the dissolution of the current Board of Trustees for the Syria Trust for Development.

According to the ministry’s decision, which Enab Baladi verified through an informed source in the caretaker government, all authorities granted to the previous members of the Board of Trustees within the “Syrian Development Organization” are terminated, including those related to administrative procedures, bank accounts, asset management, and any financial or legal obligations related to its work.

In a separate decision, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor announced the formation of a specialized committee to assess the overall situation of the Syria Trust for Development and propose a plan to reinstall governance in the institution and establish a new basic system compatible with the institution’s goals and developmental vision, within a maximum period of 30 days from the date of the decision.

The specialized committee includes a representative from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor named Ahmad al-Qassem, a legal expert specialized in association issues, a representative from civil society institutions, an administrative and organizational affairs specialist, and a secretary.

According to the decision, the committee will undertake the tasks of managing the affairs of the “Syrian Development Organization” and arranging its financial, administrative, and organizational status.

Asma al-Assad founded several non-governmental organizations, registered with the government, after her marriage to Bashar al-Assad in 2000, and encouraged the establishment of other organizations, then merged most of these organizations into the Syria Trust for Development in 2007, making it one of the most valuable public relations projects for the regime towards the West and the international community, according to a study on “The Role of Charitable Work in the Syrian War,” by researchers at the Omran Center for Strategic Studies, Ayman Dasuki and Sinan Hatahet.