Red Cross and UNDP Organize Event to Support Local Climate Policies

The Lebanese Red Cross, in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a national event entitled "Towards Climate Policies Closer to Local Communities" at the Lebanese Red Cross Training and Development Center in Jounieh. The event was attended by Minister of Environment Tamara Al-Zein and the Acting Resident Representative of UNDP Thair Shreidi. Also present were Caimaqams, representatives from governorates, unions of municipalities, individual municipalities, and local communities.

The event highlighted areas of cooperation between the Ministry of Environment, the Lebanese Red Cross, and UNDP, aimed at supporting the integration of national climate policies into plans and programs at both the local and national levels, including the National Adaptation Plan for Climate Change and Nationally Determined Contributions. It also sought to strengthen the role of communities and local authorities and their active participation in decision-making related to climate.

Following a welcome speech delivered by Qasim Shaalan on behalf of the Lebanese Red Cross, who explained "the importance of this meeting," he highlighted the work carried out by the Lebanese Red Cross with communities in various regions, particularly in conveying Nationally Determined Contributions and the National Climate Adaptation Plan within the framework of disaster risk reduction. He demonstrated how communities interact with these plans. He also addressed the role of the Red Cross in building a continuous communication loop between national policies and local implementation, including returning to municipalities after training sessions to follow up on what has changed, what is working, and where challenges still persist.

Shreidi then delivered a speech stating: "We are working with the Ministry of Environment, relevant institutions, and municipalities to link climate policies with on-the-ground implementation, by strengthening coordination, capacities, and providing the necessary information to make decisions that protect people and their livelihoods."
He added: "Our partnership with the Lebanese Red Cross holds particular importance in this path, based on our joint work in disaster risk management and enhancing preparedness."

Minister Al-Zein addressed the participants, saying: "Our responsibility today is not limited to developing strong national strategies, but also includes ensuring that these strategies are understood, that people feel they belong to them, and that they ultimately translate into actual implementation across Lebanon."

Following the opening speeches, a video presentation was shown regarding Nationally Determined Contributions and the National Adaptation Plan.
The event featured an interactive dialogue session moderated by Lia Al-Qa'i, Project Manager for Climate Change at UNDP and Advisor to the Minister of Environment. The session covered priorities for climate action at the local level and the reasons for the need for this initiative; the roles assigned to the Ministry of Environment, the Lebanese Red Cross, and UNDP; and the importance of partnerships between national and local actors to enhance community resilience to climate challenges.
This session provided a space for ongoing dialogue and cooperation, allowing for the exchange of views and experiences among the various participating bodies, listening to their priorities and needs, thereby contributing to identifying areas of work and future priorities and strengthening climate response at the local level.