The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development have joined forces to implement the Blue Economy component in Lebanon at both national and local levels, using Saida as a case study. This collaboration is part of the SwitchMed II activities, aimed at promoting sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
The main goal of the conference is to raise awareness about the Blue Economy on a national level, presenting the results of the national Blue Economy assessment and endorsing policy recommendations, with a particular focus on fisheries, coastal tourism, and port activities. The event will bring together political and technical experts, serving as a starting point for a more circular, environmentally friendly, and prosperous Blue Economy in Lebanon.
The conference will prioritize building partnerships, fostering collaboration, and facilitating meaningful discussions among key stakeholders from government, private sector, academia, and civil society. By emphasizing the importance of coastal cities and engaging multiple actors, including local communities, the conference will highlight the initiatives undertaken in Saida to promote actions that ensure the long-term sustainability of the Blue Economy in Lebanon from a circular perspective. Following this, on-the-ground activities and a city-wide validation process for the local Blue Economy action plan in Saida will be conducted.
