Damascus: Ron van Rooden has been named head of the IMF’s mission to Syria, according to a written statement from Syria’s Finance Minister Mohammad Bernieh. He became the first mission chief assigned to the country in 14 years.
The International Monetary Fund has designated Ron van Rooden as the leader of its mission to Syria, according to a written statement from Syria’s Finance Minister Mohammed Yosr Bernieh, making him the first mission chief for the country since the onset of conflict 14 years ago.
Bernieh mentioned that van Rooden’s appointment followed “our request” and he posted a photo on LinkedIn of himself shaking hands with van Rooden during the IMF-World Bank Spring meetings in Washington, D.C.
The IMF press office did not promptly reply to a request for comment. A source familiar with the IMF’s decisions regarding Syria confirmed the appointment of van Rooden.
How does Syria view this appointment for the well being of their people?
Syria’s Finance Minister Bernieh said that, “This significant appointment represents an important milestone and lays the groundwork for productive discussions between the IMF and Syria, aiming to promote Syria’s economic recovery and enhance the lives of the Syrian population.”
According to the IMF’s website, Syria has not engaged with the fund for the last 40 years. The last International Monetary Fund mission to Syria took place during late 2009 before the demonstrations against Bashar al-Assad started.
Syria has been devastated by almost 14 years of conflict that began with a violent response to protests against former President Bashar-Al- Assad, leaving much of the nation’s infrastructure in ruin.
The administration that emerged after Assad’s removal has aimed to mend Syria’s relationships both regionally and internationally, seeking to acquire support for reconstruction initiatives.
Bernieh, along with Syria’s central bank Chief Abdelkader Husrieh, is participating in the annual spring meetings in Washington. This will be the first occasion in at least twenty years for a high-ranking delegation from the Syrian government to attend the meetings, and it marks the first official visit by Syria’s new leadership to the US since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in December, 2024.
On Tuesday April 22, 2025, the Saudi finance minister and the World Bank co-hosted a discussion on Syria. Bernieh, in a separate LinkedIn update, characterized the discussion as “very successful” and noted “unprecedented” interest in aiding Syria’s reconstruction.
A senior official from the United Nations Development Programme informed Reuters last week that the agency plans to provide $1.3 billion in assistance to Syria over the next three years.
