Beirut, 28 November 2025
Lebanon marked a national milestone today with the official launch of the National Greening Education Strategy at the Grand Serail, under the patronage of H.E. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, represented by H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education and Higher Education, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), the Center for Educational Research and Development (CERD), and the UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut.
The strategy represents a critical step towards reshaping Lebanon’s education system to equip learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to navigate a rapidly changing climate and contribute to sustainable development.
The ceremony brought together ministers, representatives from public institutions, UN agencies, civil society organizations, international partners, and donors who collectively contributed to the development of the strategy. Their participation reflects a shared national commitment to strengthening education’s role in responding to the environmental and climate crisis, in alignment with the Transforming Education Summit (TES) call to action on Greening Education.
Developed under the leadership of MEHE and CERD, and supported by UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, the National Greening Education Strategy, through partnership, builds on Lebanon’s commitments at the TES and on priority areas outlined in the MEHE General Education Plan. The strategy provides a long-term vision for greening learning environments, enhancing climate education across curricula, strengthening institutional capacities, and engaging communities nationwide. It aligns all existing greening initiatives under one unified national framework, promoting coherence, collaboration, and scalability.
In his opening remarks, Director of UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, Mr. Paolo Fontani, emphasized UNESCO’s continued support to national partners and highlighted the strategic importance of transforming education to ensure system-wide readiness for environmental and climate realities.
“As we consider the Strategy, it is natural to reflect on what “greening education” really means within the Lebanese context. It means supporting schools in adopting more sustainable practices, from energy use to waste management. It means ensuring that curriculum and teaching materials help learners understand their environment, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities it offers. It means strengthening the capacity of educators and institutions so they can guide learners with confidence. And it means encouraging communities to participate in shaping learning environments that support healthier, more sustainable ways of living.
Fontani added’ “At the heart of this Strategy is a simple promise: that every learner in Lebanon will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand the world they live in, to adapt to its changes, and to contribute to a more sustainable, resilient future for their country.”
Minister of Education and Higher Education, H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that every learner in Lebanon is equipped with the competencies needed to engage responsibly with the environment and contribute to a green and sustainable future.
“This strategy comes at a time when students in Lebanon are facing difficult circumstances and daily anxiety, and when schools are taking on an expanded role as spaces of protection, values, and the rebuilding of trust in the country. The shift toward green education is a deeply political decision: it affirms that schools are not the last to adapt to climate change, but the first to guide society in responding to it; and that education is not a reaction, but an act of leadership.”
Karami added:”With the launch of this strategy, we in the Ministry of Education commit not to add a new layer on top of existing layers, but to move forward through a coherent approach that brings together education, environment, energy, and agriculture in harmony befitting the challenges of this phase. We also commit to translating this into action through an integrated effort that includes embedding green competencies into the new curricula through the Educational Center, and linking them with critical thinking, innovation, and life skills.”
In his remarks, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lebanon, Mr. Imran Riza, highlighted the UN’s strong commitment to supporting the national transition toward greener, more resilient education systems.
He stated: “Greening education strengthens environmental stewardship, widens economic opportunity, and empowers young people. By advancing climate literacy, responsible resource use and risk awareness, the strategy prepares learners, schools and communities to manage environmental challenges effectively.”
Riza added: “The United Nations system will support implementation under the leadership of the Government of Lebanon. We will focus on capacity strengthening, institutionalizing policies and reforms, mobilizing resources and expertise in line with national priorities, and supporting planning, monitoring and evaluation. We will also promote broad partnerships, including with international and private sector stakeholders, at the Government’s direction.”
The ceremony featured a ministerial panel discussion on governance and partnerships for Greening Education, bringing together H.E. Dr. Rima Karami, Minister of Education and Higher Education; H.E. Dr. Tamara El Zein, Minister of Environment; and H.E. Ms. Laura Khazen Lahoud, Minister of Tourism. The panel highlighted the essential role of inter-ministerial coordination and cross-sectoral collaboration in advancing Lebanon’s climate-ready education agenda.
Dr. Karami emphasized the Ministry of Education’s commitment to integrating environmental awareness and responsible citizenship into school curricula, equipping students with the knowledge and values to act as proactive stewards of their communities. Dr. El Zein highlighted the Ministry of Environment’s efforts to support schools and local communities in adopting sustainable practices and engaging youth in climate action initiatives. Minister Khazen Lahoud underscored the importance of linking sustainable tourism and cultural heritage education with active citizenship, helping students understand their role in preserving Lebanon’s natural and cultural assets.
Together, the three ministries reaffirmed their dedication to preparing students as informed, responsible citizens capable of contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for Lebanon.
Finally, UNESCO Beirut reaffirmed its commitment to supporting MEHE, CERD, and national partners in the implementation phase, ensuring that education becomes a driving force for climate resilience, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development in Lebanon.