U.S. President Barack Obama said on Tuesday the recovery of stolen assets from Arab Spring countries is “needed to help stabilize economies and create jobs and growth” across the affected Middle Eastern countries.

The president was broadcasting a message to the Emir of Qatar, President of Tunisia and the other delegations, including the United States, attending the first Arab forum on asset recovery, held in the Qatari capital of Doha.

“We called for this Forum—to make sure we’re working together to recover stolen assets that must be returned to the people of countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. This money—potentially billions of dollars — does not belong to those who wielded power; it belongs to the people. Now, it’s needed to help stabilize economies and create jobs and growth. It’s needed to help advance transitions to democracy. It’s needed to help answer the aspirations for opportunity and dignity that are at the root of this Arab Spring.”

Obama also said he has made it a part of “U.S. policy to support reform across the region and assist transitions to democracy,” adding that such support includes “economic reforms that create jobs and opportunity, boost trade and entrepreneurship, and combat corruption so people can live in dignity.”

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