Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Industry Innovation and Infrastructure - Sustainable development goals in Syria

The presence of “Industry and Innovation” side by side is not strange. In fact, creativity is born from the womb of imagination to become a reality. This applies to various fields and sectors. What is an industry without innovation? Innovation leaves its mark starting from solving simple life problems to guiding the planet towards sustainability.

The industry in Syria ranks second in terms of economic importance. The gross domestic product rate of the industrial sector reached about 23.7% in 2010.¹ Syria directed efforts towards the development of industry and keeping up with technology and innovation, in line with the goals of the United Nations to eradicate poverty and achieve decent living. However, the war caused the regression of this sector and led us back to the construction stages.

“Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” is the ninth goal of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations made it one of its goals due to its importance in economic growth, prosperity, and poverty eradication.² Through providing jobs and improving livelihoods. As well as, globalization and significant advancements in technology calling for innovation and finding suitable advanced means. Such as renewable energy and sustainable production methods. In addition to the need for solid ground and infrastructure such as roads, bridges, sanitation systems, and others.

However, many developing countries still suffer from a severe shortage of these resources. Which hinders industrial development and economic growth. Therefore, the United Nations has recognized that this goal could not be achieved without the unrestricted provision of resources in developing cities in particular.

The ninth goal includes a number of recommendations regarding the three pillars of sustainable development: the environment, social development, and economic development. It is connected to other goals. Such as the third goal, which states “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages”, the sixth goal “Clean Water and Sanitation”, and the seventh goal “Affordable and Clean Energy”.

The role of organizations in restoring the infrastructure in Syria

The war in Syria has led to the deterioration of infrastructure and many power and water stations going out of service. As well as a negative decline in schools, healthcare, sanitation, and disruption in the industrial sector.

Estimates have shown more than 50% of the infrastructure has been damaged,³ leading to international action and intensive efforts to address the situation. Moreover, international organizations have sought to restore the infrastructure. Some of these organizations and their activities in industry improvement and innovation include:

First: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program, worked in 2022 to reactivate the water pumping station in the “Seventh Irrigation Sector” in Deir ez-Zor Governorate. This comes after it has been out of service for more than ten years. It is considered one of the most important stations because it supplies more than 7,500 hectares of irrigation water and provides for about 10,000 farming families.⁴
Second: Oxfam, in cooperation with the Municipal Council of “Duma”, supervised the repair of the sewage network in the city. This network was completely destroyed, leading to its contamination with water pumped for the residents and indirectly affecting the industrial sector in the region. The organization, in coordination with Rif-Dimashq Governorate and the City Council, sent a specialized team to repair it in several neighborhoods of the city.⁵
Third: The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has carried out a project to remove the rubble caused by the restoration of people’s homes from the streets of Zabadani. More than 25 thousand cubic meters of rubble were carried away.⁶

The United Nations Development Program and its role in achieving the goal of industry, innovation, and infrastructure

The United Nations Development Program is a UN network concerned with global development. It is an organization that advocates for change and connects countries with knowledge, expertise, and resources to help people build better lives.

The program aims to help stabilize communities and provide basic services to maintain a good quality of life. In addition to sound infrastructure, and promote industry and innovation, by contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals 3,6,7 and 9, by providing many services, including:

First: Solid waste management.
Second: Rehabilitation and repair of sewage, water, and electricity networks.
Third: Rehabilitation of markets and shops.
Fourth: Supporting renewable energy solutions.
Fifth: Rehabilitation of social infrastructure, such as schools and medical facilities.⁴

The industrial sector in Syria is one of the important sectors that contribute to increasing the GDP. The state works on supporting it with the services delivered to the public and private sectors through the ministries, and the facilities it provides to support infrastructure, energy, and technology.

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