Roadmap for an ideal national sustainable development in Lebanon

In a step which is surrounded with much skepticism, Prime Minister Tamam Salam sponsored early this week the launching of the roadmap for the national strategy of sustainable development in Lebanon upon the invitation of Environment Minister Mohammad al Mashnuk. Present at the event were a number of Ministers, namely Michel Faroun, Sajaan Azzi, Nabil De Freij, Alan Hakim, and deputies Marwan Hamadeh, Michel Mussa and Kassem Abdel Aziz, as well a representative of MP Sami Gmayyel, and various ambassadors. Also present were, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon, Ross Mountain, UNDP Office Director Randa Luqa, Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Jean Fahd and a number of senior public employees and representatives of municipalities, the private sector, civil society and environmental organizations. Al Mashnuk emphasised that the methodology of the strategy focuses on involving all stakeholders in decision making, particularly private and public sectors and civil society. He added the strategy aims to support the economic, social and administrative reform within a comprehensive plan that will rank national priorities and will promote the concept of sustainability. The Minister noted that sustainable development has many definitions, the most common point out to a development process which is capable of meeting all current needs without compromising the capacity of generations to sustain future needs. Elaborating the concept of sustainable development, Al Mashnuk said it is based on a close correlation between environment, social justice and economy, and therefore, entails that public policies should take all these elements into consideration. The said strategy, as he presented it, will aim at achieving a number of objectives: the development of a high level of human capital and workforce, social cohesion, meeting basic daily life needs, promoting economic growth, preserving cultural and natural heritages, boosting good governance and restoring Lebanon on the Arab, Mediterranean and world maps. For his part, PM Salam described as challenging the Environment Ministry’s endeavor, which is comprehensive, covering the whole nation, targeting all sectors and finally necessitating distinguished and sincere efforts. In concluding the event, Al Mashnuk facilitated the debate with the environmental organizations and civil society representatives around their recommendations and suggestions. Also taking part in that discussion session, were the Environmental Advisor, Manal Msallam, and Director of Governance Program, Lamia Mansour. (As Safir, An Nahar, Al Diyar, 4 March 2015)