In a significant step toward the preservation of Lebanon’s marine environment and the promotion of participatory environmental governance, the Lebanese Environmental Gathering hosted the preparatory meeting for the launch of the National Campaign for Marine Protected Areas. The meeting took place at the organization’s center and brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from academic institutions, environmental NGOs, marine experts, and public and private sector partners.
This campaign forms part of the broader project entitled “The Marine Protected Areas Network in Lebanon”, implemented by the Lebanese Environmental Forum in partnership with the University of Balamand and generously supported by the European Union. The project aims to safeguard Lebanon’s remaining ecologically significant coastal and marine areas, with a focus on conserving natural resources and preserving the rich ecological heritage of the Lebanese sea.
The working team presented a comprehensive outline of the campaign’s framework, detailing its guiding principles, goals, and proposed operational mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on the campaign’s commitment to a participatory approach that promotes inclusive dialogue and collaboration, while employing legitimate means of advocacy, public pressure, and engagement with decision-makers. The ultimate objective is to push for the issuance of effective legislation and regulations to protect marine sites and to support integrated coastal zone management in Lebanon.
Participants engaged in open discussions and shared diverse perspectives and experiences. They expressed strong commitment to the campaign’s vision and agreed to act as a founding core group that would lay the foundation for an expanding platform capable of attracting broader support from relevant stakeholders, advocates, and allies.
At the conclusion of the meeting, it was announced that the Lebanese Environmental Forum (LEF) will assume responsibility for the overall coordination of the campaign. This includes managing participatory communication with campaign members, overseeing media and public outreach, and organizing promotional activities and events that align with the campaign’s strategic objectives.
This campaign represents a unique national opportunity to secure a sustainable environmental future for Lebanon’s marine ecosystem and to reinforce the principle of environmental public interest in national policy-making.
