New York, Eng. Samar Al-Sibai, stressed the need to strengthen support and provide adequate funding for Syria, support its national programs related to the population issue, and support early recovery and reconstruction projects to address the material, economic and social obstacles that prevent the return of refugees and displaced persons. Al-Sibai, head of the Syrian delegation participating in the 57th session of the Commission on Population and Development at the United Nations, said in a statement today during the general discussion session, that empowering women and girls as well as achieving gender equality and enhancing social protection are the way to advance societies and achieve well-being and prosperity in line with the goals of sustainable development. Al-Sibai noted that in the economic field, work is being done to support entrepreneurship for young people creating new job opportunities and finding sustainable sources of income, in addition to establishing special training programs for new gr aduates. She added that the relevant government institutions pay great importance to the issue of refugees and displaced persons and work for their return in cooperation with local and civil society institutions and United Nations organizations working in Syria. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency