The Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to implement the Blue Economy component in Lebanon. This initiative, which will take place both at a national and local level, aims to promote sustainable practices and policies that will benefit the country’s economy while protecting the environment.
One of the key activities within this partnership is the organization of Lebanon’s first ‘National Blue Economy Conference’, which will be held under the patronage of the Ministry of Environment on May 2nd in Beirut. This event will serve as a platform to showcase the findings of the national Blue Economy assessment and endorse policy recommendations, focusing on fisheries, coastal tourism, and port activities.
The conference aims to bring together high-level political and technical experts to discuss ways to transition towards a more circular, environmentally resilient, and prosperous Blue Economy in Lebanon. By facilitating partnerships and collaboration between key stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, as well as academic institutions and civil society, the conference hopes to create momentum for sustainable development in the country.
Furthermore, the conference will highlight the importance of coastal cities and engaging local communities in promoting sustainable practices. The work carried out in Saida will be showcased to demonstrate how local actions can contribute to long-term sustainability goals for Lebanon’s Blue Economy. Afterward, an on-ground activity process of validation for a city-wide action plan on Blue Economy in Saida will take place, emphasizing multi-actor engagement and multi-level governance necessary for achieving sustainability goals.
