Beirut, 31 May 2022 – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Representative and Regional Director for West Asia, Mr. Sami Dimassi together with the President of Nusaned, Mrs. Ghaida Nawam signed an agreement to mark the start of their collaboration in implementing a series of pilot projects. The agreement falls within the SwitchMed II initiative, funded by the European Union, aiming to provide support mechanisms to countries on the southern shores of the Mediterranean to switch to sustainable consumption and production patterns.
The series of projects launched today, will create green and circular local businesses, starting with restaurants by introducing sustainability, and environmental consciousness, wherein return it will add to their economic value. By designing an integrated Circular Economy model in the Mar Mikhael – Gemmayze neighborhood in Beirut, plastics will be diverged from landfills and food waste will be turned into compost. The projects will engage local communities to raise awareness and spark behavioral change by ensuring that waste is kept to a minimum and allowing the regeneration of natural systems.
This partnership will deliver a long-lasting impact whereby results are shared and encouraged to be replicated across Lebanon. In addition to the agreement, a Letter of Intent was signed in April 2022 by both entities to outline common areas of interest, and to encourage cooperation and future collaboration between the two parties.
On this occasion, Mr. Dimassi noted that he “UNEP came back to Lebanon in October 2021, well after Lebanon had witnessed the tragic Beirut blast along with the socio-economic crises that have resulted in profound effects on the country and especially on those who are marginalized and disadvantaged”. He added that, “UNEP alone cannot succeed in making a difference. Collaborating with dedicated local organizations and implementing projects with young and vibrant teams, is essential to establish sustainable and long-lasting impacts. We want this project to create a ripple effect, here and across the region, to engage as many stakeholders as possible and inspire the policy action”.
Mrs. Nawam, expressed her pride in this collaboration and her gratitude to UNEP for entrusting Nusaned in being the implementing partner of this initiative and added: “Two weeks ago, Nusaned became an NGO accredited to UNEP. We are thrilled with this responsibility, especially being a two-year old local NGO. Over the course of the projects, we are launching today, we will develop circular economy schemes in the neighborhood. We will be partnering with the local community and the restaurants whom we have supported in response to the Beirut Blast and who believe in us as advocates of change for a cleaner and healthier environment. We will continue to utilize our presence to ensure sustainable long-lasting impacts. In doing so, and with the help of UNEP, we hope to send a powerful signal of intent to policy makers to follow.”
The event was concluded with a short tour around the Nusaned Hub where some of the planned project activities will take place.
About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
About Nusaned
Nusaned is a Lebanese-based Non-Governmental Organization. Their aim is to empower and enable marginalized Lebanese communities by supporting sustainable development through a community-based approach. By offering access to food security, shelter and continuous opportunities for creating productive economies, Nusaned works on building sustainable Lebanese communities that are self-sustaining and capable.