Foley Hoag will be hosting a half-day conference on the "International Legal and Economic Challenges Facing Syria in Transition". The event will offer a unique opportunity to engage with leading international legal and economic experts as they tackle the pressing challenges and emerging opportunities facing Syria during a pivotal period of transition. It will present valuable insights through two thought-provoking panel discussions and allow for lively debate, fresh perspectives, and actionable ideas at the intersection of law, economics, and geopolitics.

The schedule for the conference will be as follows:

Opening Remarks by Harout Ekmanian, Associate at Foley Hoag LLP (10:00 AM - 10:15 AM)

Panel I: Navigating Economic Development Amid Evolving Sanctions Regimes (10:15 AM - 11:15 AM):
As Syria enters a new chapter marked by the recent announcement from President Trump that the United States will normalize relations and begin lifting sanctions, the country faces a transformed economic and geopolitical landscape. This panel will explore the implications of sanctions relief and the opportunities it may open for Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy. Our experts will examine these developments through the lens of international law, analyzing the evolving intersection of law, economics, and geopolitics in Syria’s reconstruction journey.

• Adam Safwat, Partner and Co-Chair of the White Collar Crime and Government Investigations Practice at Foley Hoag LLP
• Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assil, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute
• Sameer Saboungi, Director of the Legal Affairs Program at the Syrian American Council
• Nour Nicolas, Associate at the International Litigation and Arbitration Department of Foley Hoag LLP (as moderator)

Coffee break (11:15 AM - 11:30 AM)

Panel II: Opportunities and Obstacles: The Future of Foreign Investment in Syria (11:30 AM - 12:30 PM):
As Syria emerges from a decade and a half of conflict and instability, foreign investment stands as a crucial pillar for rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure and industries, as well as ensuring future economic and human development. Yet, the shadow of political instability, economic isolation, and an uncertain legal framework continues to complicate the investment landscape. Our distinguished panel of international legal and economic experts will delve into the opportunities, obstacles, and strategies for fostering sustainable foreign investment in post-conflict Syria.

• Arsalan Suleman, Partner at the International Litigation and Arbitration Department of Foley Hoag LLP
• Katia Yannaca-Small, Senior International Arbitration Advisor at Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
• Benjamin Fève, Senior Policy Researcher at Karam Shaar Advisory Limited
• Amir Farhadi, Senior Associate at the International Litigation and Arbitration Department of Foley Hoag LLP (as moderator)

Keynote Address and Luncheon Reception (12:30 PM - 1:30 PM):

• Ibrahim Olabi, Special Advisor on International Legal Affairs to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria and Barrister at Guernica 37.