Beiruting News

Wataniyya - The General Directorate of Water and Electricity Resources in the Ministry of Energy and Water has organized a conference in "Le Royal" hotel - Dbayeh, about " After  Paris 21 Summit: adjustment policies in the Mediterranean region", under the auspices of the Minister Arthur Nazarian, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, the International Office for Water,  international Network of Basins Organizations, ESCWA, the Lebanese center of energy Conservation, and the regional center for renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Dr. Fadi Comair

The General Directorate of Water and Electricity Resources Fadi Comair gave a speech in which he stressed on "the importance of this initiative, which forms a part of the adjustment policies after the Paris 21 summit for the Mediterranean in general and specifically for the countries of the Middle East, as a result of their membership in the Paris Declaration, the Paris Charter of transnational basins, the agreement which was signed on December 2, 2015 between the Minister of energy and water Arthur Nazarian and the Minister of environment and energy in France, Segolene Royal, and what the Charter of Paris contained about basin management and the creation of agencies and organisms for basins in Lebanon.

Comair said: "The purpose of this conference is to think together with experts, in all issues that threaten us and the work that must be done in cooperation with the scientific expertise, the civil society and the private sector of all the actors in the Middle East, young men and women, especially the political will by seeking to join efforts in order to take concerted action to achieve sustainable development to ensure peace, security and prosperity for future generations in the light of the many existing challenges.

He declared also that "the discussions of this conference would be sent to the secretariats of the 21 and 22 summits in Paris and Marrakesh (Morocco) to take advantage of them in order to take priority actions to execute them."

Mrs. Roula Majdalani

Meanwhile, the Director of the Department of sustainable development policies in the ESCWA Roula Majdalani said: " The world has witnessed an unprecedented cooperation and success among the countries in the COP 21 on climate change in Paris at the end of the year 2015, where the representatives of 195 countries approved on a historic agreement to save the earth and fight against global warming, in the framework of the so-called Paris Convention. This agreement mainly aimed to contain global warming by keeping the global average temperature in the range of less than two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels era and continue efforts to restrict the temperature rise no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius during this century as a more ambitious target that would reduce the risks of climate change and its effects. "

She mentioned as well that "countries are trying to realize this agreement through engagements of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions, the origin of the global warming, and through multiple national adaptation measures," pointing out that "in the light of these challenges related to the impacts of climate change on the Arab region, the sustainable development policies division in the ESCWA and according to tasks entrusted is implementing many programs related to climate change."

She explained that "in the field of energy, the ESCWA is concerned about the improving energy efficiency programs and promote activities and projects related to energy in order to reduce emissions and the effects of climate change. The ESCWA is developing as well different studies to link between the various sector policies, especially energy, water and food to increase their efficiency in the framework of the implementation of national policies for sustainable development and reduce poverty. This appears therefore in the interest of the ESCWA to achieve harmony and coherence between the new Convention on Climate change and the other International negotiations such as the sustainable development plan 2000, which include the development goals "SDGs", the international negotiations on financing the development, and the initiative of the General Secretary of the United Nations which aims to assure the access to modern energy services and multiply the improvement in the energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy in the global mix of energy by 2030 ".

Mr. Ghassan Sayyah

However, Mr. Ghassan Sayyah, the representative of the Minister of Environment Mohamed Al Machnouk, declared in this issue: "The Climate change constitutes, as everyone knows, a serious threat to Lebanon and to most of the developing countries that have difficulties to adapt with its negative effects. We all also know that the economy is attached intrinsically to the environment and its natural resources, which represents a source for all agricultural development and primary resources for all types of industries; as well environment represents the main pillar of public health and sustainable tourism. "

He added: "The numbers published by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program in a new report on the economic consequences of climate change on Lebanon, show clearly what awaits man if we did not combat this phenomenon immediately. According to the report, the cost of the damage that the climate change inflicts on the Lebanese economy may reach $ 17 billion in 2040 if the world did not take quick and serious measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the spot. The Lebanese government and the Lebanese families will suffer from these economic encumbrances through the decline of productivity and sustainability in different sectors, for example, the decline in the availability of water for irrigation, domestic and industrial use will cost the Lebanese economy $ 21 million in 2020 and up to $ 320 million in 2040. We are paying today a high bill due to the effects of climate change. "

Mr. Sayyah continued: "Fortunately, the COP 21 on climate change held in Paris at the end of the last year, paved the way for Lebanon and all states to avoid these economic consequences that is impossible to any economy in the world, no matter how is strong and flexible, to afford them, the only requirement is to work hard and seriously starting from security. This is what the Ministry of Environment does in his capacity of the National Coordinator of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change in collaboration with all relevant ministries especially the Ministry of Energy and Water, which we thank for this initiative that brings us together today. National intensified efforts has begun since last year to develop a climate action plan which will increase the flexibility of Lebanon to avoid the negative economic effects; thus the water sector occupies a key place in this plan and contribute to the international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from the energy sector. This step is mandatory for each country under the new Paris Convention on climate change. "

Mr. Sayyah said further : "The Ministry of the Environment is fully ready to work with all partners to increase the capacity of everyone to adapt; and while the Ministry of Environment is primarily responsible for planning and coordinating efforts in the field of climate change, the other ministries are responsible for the share with the Ministry of Environment the available information and national capacities for better planning and execute steps that is agreed upon in the national consultations. "

He concluded: "It is true that our existence as human beings on earth put pressure on water resources, but in Lebanon, despite the limited resources, all parties should firmly cooperate between them to combat all the problems that we face, let's start working together towards a sustainable future."

H.E. Mr. Ali Oumlil

The Moroccan Ambassador Ali oumlil said: "The results of Paris summit were of a high importance due to the wise management of the French state and many NGOs that operate in this field. A summit will be held in this regard in October in Marrakech where Morocco has strategies in the water and the wind energy field as well the solar energy. The policy of barrage is old in Morocco, where exist 12 barrages which provide 17 billion cubic meters, along with irrigation and drinking water and soil, especially with the climate fluctuations and 6 plants for desalination of sea water, and its production capacity and 12,000 cubic liters per day. "

He also added: "We have a plan in wind energy for ten years that raise the electrical plan from 280 megawatts to 2,000 megawatts in 2015. There is a project for solar energy, where Morocco opened this year the largest solar power plant in the world in southeastern Morocco beside five solar power plants at a cost of up to ten billion dollars. We have a lot of achievements which contribute to the prevention of wars that may be caused by the water scarcity. "

H.E. Mrs. Christina Lassen

The Chief of the European Union mission in Lebanon, Ambassador Christina Lassen confirmed that "All the crises are affecting both Europe and Lebanon," pointing out that "The conference in Paris was the result of a lot of negotiations, which is a precedent and a binding agreement for all countries of the world."

She thanked Nazarian on "this positive achievement for all", noting that there are "17 goals of sustainable development that can be included economic and social objectives, which draws the limits of cooperation for the coming 15 years," emphasizing that "the EU plays a positive role in promoting sustainable development, and executes many projects through the contribution, and confirming " the readiness for more efforts to strengthen the capacity to promote some relevant implications."

She considered that the "contribution of Lebanon at the Paris conference was a good start and constitutes the first step in the translation of these ambitions in order to reduce the repercussions of climate change."

H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Bonne

The Ambassador of France Emmanuel Bonne said: "The Paris agreement was historic and form an important stage in the process of progress in the field of comprehensive development, and should be changed to become practically applicable. Therefore, we would like to mobilize our efforts after the creation of the Paris conference, a device that adapts with the climate change to find a balance in terms of solidarity and interaction on a global scale from the perspective of the reduction of greenhouse gases, after that the world acknowledged the losses resulting from climate change. What increases the problems, the presence of displaced people and the high temperature and its impact on the economic level in the Mediterranean, under a privileged but fragile environment, thus climate change leads to instability, lack of water, migration and increased conflict between peoples." He saluted the efforts of the Lebanese authorities in this regard.

He talked also about the waste crisis, where he considered it of "priorities that must be handled and treat," expressing his "willingness to cooperate with everyone in order to put control mechanisms to face all future infringements in the light of climate change."

H.E. Mr. Arthur Nazarian

Nazarian said: "The Conference comes within the follow-up method of the Paris Declaration, reached in the last climate summit Cop 21 conference, which was held in Paris the end of the month of December 2015. The conference draw a road map for the countries of the world, including Lebanon, that has pledged to work to reduce the global warming and face future challenges related to repercussions on water, energy and nutrition. We take this opportunity, especially in the presence of the French Ambassador Emmanuel Bonn in Lebanon, to thank France for this tremendous step for the preservation of humanity and the earth. We acknowledge as well the hard work done by the French Foreign Ministry, under the leadership of Minister Laurent Fabius and his successor, Mr. Jean-Marc Herault and Minister of Environment and energy Ms. Segolene Royal in the drafting of the Paris declaration, which will leave its mark for the coming generations. We would like also to thank the Ambassador of the European Union to provide support to Lebanon through activities and projects on adapting to climate change, as well as the French and Italian cooperation agencies for their continued support in this field. "

He added: "Lebanon took this initiative, specifically the Ministry of Energy and Water in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, to launch an initiative for a policy of adaptation for southeast Mediterranean countries, especially that Lebanon was between the first countries that have signed the Charter of Paris for the water in the presence of the Minister of Environment and Energy, Ms. Segolene Royal. This Charter was prepared and drafted from more than three years by the International Office for water represented by its General Director Jean-Francois Denizye and the Mediterranean network of basin organizations, represented by its president, Dr. Fadi Comair. Thank you for their efforts in this great work. "

Mr. Nazarian continued and said: "The Charter of Paris for Water (Paris Pact on water & adaptation climate change in the basins of rivers, lakes & aquifers) aims to promote the applying of the concept of integrated water management at the basin level (national and cross-border) through a common, integrated and sustainable management of water resources, in order to reduce the effects of climate change on renewable water and its impact on human health and safety and on the economic development and the environment. Taking thus into account the international conventions for the sharing of cross-border water, in particular the United Nations Convention in 1997 for Joint international Water basins of the non-navigational purposes in order to share the water in a fair and equitable manner. "

He said further: "The present Charter treats about the importance of protecting water-related ecosystems, emphasizing on close cooperation, coordination and information exchange, dialogue and consultation in order to avoid conflicts between the concerned parties and promote the implementation of adaptation and sharing benefit at the basin level. Hence, the importance of the launch of the Center for Information and Training in aquatic Sciences in Lebanon, which was approved by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and France has, thankfully, took several initiatives to support the establishment of this center since the beginning. The most recently was that the French development agency in Lebanon (AFD) funded a feasibility study for the establishment of this center. "

He said: "Perhaps the most prominent challenge in this domain is to identify carefully international basins to minimize the conflicts that can arise between countries that have common water. Where that Lebanon has common basins (Orontes basin, the southern great river and the Hasbani / Wazzani), it is necessary to use modern technical means and the geographic information systems in addition to the use of tools to assist in decision-making support for the development of reliable strategies for cross-border basins. This is what we hope to reach through the exchange of expertise, the information technology as well the available techniques in the leading countries in this field."

He added: "The application of the Paris Declaration requires from all of us a lot of effort and most importantly the determination of the political authority to adopt it and activate it. The Ministry of Energy and Water wanted in this conference to discuss vital and fundamental issues about: water, environment and waste, energy, including renewable energy, all within the framework of ethics that requires us to preserve the future for the coming generations so that they will live in a safe and clean environment. These steps start with you, the highly experienced one in this domain, who are working and looking for the better to your countries and this conference is a best proof of your future expectations for the good of Lebanon and the Arab world. We support your steps and will do our best to carry the political authority to adopt the good of the public interest. "

He then concluded: "We hope that you and France will help Lebanon in the implementation of the Paris Declaration, we are also confident that what France began in this context; it will be completed by Morocco because of the presidential transition at the next session from France to Morocco, where the Cop22 will be held from November 7 to November 18 in Marrakech and where we will have a close cooperation on this level."