Beiruting News

Conclusion of the EU-Funded 2Circular Project Implemented by UNIDO to Promote the Circular Economy in Lebanon

The European Union–funded 2Circular project concluded with a high-level closing ceremony held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Beirut, bringing together representatives from the public and private sectors, international partners, and project beneficiaries. The event celebrated key achievements in advancing sustainable industrial transformation and promoting the adoption of circular economy principles in Lebanon.

The ceremony highlighted the project’s pivotal role in supporting industrial transformation, strengthening public–private partnerships, and embedding circular economy practices within Lebanese industries, despite challenges facing the country.

The official opening session featured high-level participation from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the European Union, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists (ALI), and the Ministry of Industry, reflecting strong institutional alignment and joint commitment to the project’s objectives.

In her remarks, Ms. Natalie Degger, 2Circular Project Manager at UNIDO, emphasized the project’s lasting impact, noting that sustainability is not merely a theoretical concept but a practical and achievable pathway for Lebanon’s industrial sector.

Representing the private sector, Mr. Salim Zeenni, President of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, stressed the importance of industrialists embracing circular economy approaches, underlining that such solutions are no longer optional but essential for strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of Lebanese industries.

For her part, Ms. Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to supporting sustainable development, emphasizing that investing in circular economy initiatives is an investment in Lebanon’s economic recovery and environmental future.

Meanwhile, H.E. Eng. Joe Issa El-Khoury, Minister of Industry, highlighted the strategic alignment between the 2Circular project and national priorities, noting that the initiative supports the vision for a modern, sustainable, and innovation-driven industrial sector—one that contributes to reducing youth emigration and narrowing the trade deficit.

The session was moderated by Ms. Soha Atallah, Industrial Development Expert at UNIDO, and focused on the project’s concrete results, success stories, and key lessons learned.

As the project officially concluded, participants emphasized that the closing ceremony marks not an end, but a starting point for scaling up circular economy practices within Lebanon’s industrial sector and strengthening future cooperation among public institutions, industrialists, and development partners.

The 2Circular project stands as a tangible example of how coordinated international and national efforts, combined with private sector engagement, can drive sustainable industrial transformation even under challenging circumstances.