Salam: Climate Adaptation Capacity Integral to Reconstruction Process

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that "for Lebanon, climate challenges cannot be separated from the repercussions of wars and economic collapse, nor from the arduous national task of recovery and reconstruction."

Salam noted during his speech at the Climate Conference that "years of financial crisis have weakened our institutions and public facilities, while successive wars have caused widespread destruction affecting infrastructure, agricultural lands, forests, and ecosystems."

He continued: "Environmental losses resulting from Israeli aggressions, which constitute a violation of international humanitarian law, exceeded 512 million US dollars during 2023 and 2024, in addition to other losses incurred by Lebanon during 2026."

He added: "The environmental impacts of war far exceed these figures, as their scars will remain deep in ecosystems, livelihoods, and local communities for many years to come."

He pointed out that "recovery cannot be limited to rebuilding homes and roads, but must include reclaiming agricultural land, rehabilitating ecosystems, and reviving livelihoods."

Salam emphasized that "Lebanon affirms the necessity of making environmental restoration and enhancing climate change adaptation capacity an integral part of the reconstruction process, alongside achieving stability, restoring sovereignty, and respecting international law."

He viewed that "national efforts, however important they may be, cannot alone overcome the structural and financial constraints facing a country striving to rise from long and consecutive crises and wars."

He concluded: "In this context, we call for increased public financing, enhanced role of grants, and simplified procedures for accessing existing financing mechanisms, taking into account the specific circumstances of countries affected by crises."