UNESCO Holds Briefing on Emergency Plan to Support Lebanon's Resilience

A special briefing session focused on Lebanon took place today at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris. The meeting was convened at the request of Lebanon’s permanent mission to UNESCO and was attended by the General Conference President and representatives of member states.

The session aimed to present UNESCO’s emergency plan designed to assist Lebanon in sectors under its mandate, particularly education, media and the protection of journalists, safeguarding the city of Tyre, and the preservation of cultural heritage and archaeological sites. Discussions centered on ensuring the continuity of education, protecting cultural heritage, supporting cultural institutions and industries, strengthening the media sector, and securing access to reliable and independent information.

The briefing was opened by Lazar Elundo Asumo, the Acting Assistant Director-General for Culture and Director of the World Heritage Centre, who outlined the emergency action plan UNESCO developed to accompany Lebanon in facing current challenges. Additionally, Paolo Fontani, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office in Beirut, presented an overview of the programs and projects implemented by the office across the organization’s fields of competence to support Lebanon’s efforts in addressing the repercussions of recent attacks.

The Secretariat, in cooperation with the Beirut office, screened a documentary highlighting ongoing collaboration with Lebanese authorities, notably the Ministries of Culture and Information, and UNESCO’s efforts in protecting cultural heritage, supporting media, and promoting the continuity of education. The film included testimonies from both the Minister of Culture and the Minister of Information emphasizing the importance of this cooperation and its role in supporting Lebanon during this critical period.

Ambassador Hind Darwish, Lebanon’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, delivered a speech expressing Lebanon’s appreciation for UNESCO, especially its Director-General, and for the continuous support of member states. She stressed the importance of moving from the planning phase to implementation and securing the necessary resources for the emergency plan, enabling the strengthening of vital sectors and opening future prospects for Lebanon in education, culture, media, heritage protection, and cultural industries. She also called on Lebanon’s friends to continue standing by the country in support of its efforts to advance and restore its cultural, intellectual, and civilizational role regionally and globally.

Jad Tabet, Advisor to the Minister of Culture and expert in architectural heritage, presented on the severe damage sustained by several archaeological and cultural sites, highlighting the risks threatening prominent historical locations including the site of Chemlé, Shaqif Castle, the public library, the Grand Mosque in Bint Jbeil, and the city of Tyre, which is listed as a World Heritage site.

Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director of the Samir Kassir Foundation and an expert on press freedom and media, addressed the conditions of journalists during conflicts, the challenges and risks they face, and underscored the importance of protecting press freedom and supporting independent media institutions to ensure the delivery of reliable information to the public.

Maya Moussa, recipient of the 2025 UNESCO Prize for Girls’ Education, reviewed the state of girls’ education in Lebanon and the efforts made to provide educational and scientific knowledge opportunities to the most vulnerable groups.

The session included interventions from several member states affirming their solidarity with Lebanon and support for UNESCO’s efforts to protect its cultural heritage and reinforce the resilience of its educational, media, and cultural sectors.

The briefing concluded with a statement from Ambassador Hind Darwish, who thanked all member states and delegations that expressed solidarity and support for Lebanon during this difficult phase, emphasizing that such solidarity represents a message of hope and confidence in Lebanon’s future and its ability to recover.