Remarks at the Handover of UN-Habitat's project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon,

As Lebanon continues to grapple with one of its worst economic and financial crisis, compounded by the detrimental effects of the Beirut port explosions and the COVID19 pandemic, the lingering political stalemate and the ongoing Syria crisis, we-the UN along with partners- have scaled up support to respond to the most urgent needs of the people and bring justice and dignity to the poorest and those left behind.

Today’s event serves as a stark reminder of how powerful partnerships are in times of crises. I’m not only referring to our successful partnerships with the Government of Lebanon, local communities and civil society at large, but also to our fruitful cooperation with the international community.

In this sense, the UN is very grateful to the Swiss Embassy’s boundless generosity and absolute commitment to restoring people’s livelihoods amid these difficult times. I am heartened by your strong support for Lebanon’s recovery and long-term development, and count on your continued efforts to advance multi-dimensional recovery on the ground, despite the obstacles we all know!

Today, Together, we are handing over a promising project, a bouquet of recreational, environmental and social activities that will hopefully improve the well-being of the Lebanese and the refugees alike in this beautiful city of Lebanon.  

With this project, we are giving the residents of Tripoli, particularly the most disadvantaged and disenfranchised, a glimmer of hope for a relatively better tomorrow: We are handing over a public space and football fields where every child -from both refugee and Lebanese host communities- will enjoy the right to play in free and harmless spaces, and where the youth can find a safe space to interact with their peers without fears of retaliation or violence …

Today, we are handing over solar street lighting that will unleash an array of environmental, social and economic benefits… We are giving away recycling initiatives that incentivize the people themselves to help transition to ‘green’ cities, inducing by that significant developmental and health advantages… and lastly, we are handing over upgraded residential buildings in disadvantaged areas to ensure adequate housing as a basic and legitimate human right for all.

All these project’s results, thankfully funded by the Swiss Embassy, provide an immense opportunity to accelerate the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals while meeting the very basic rights of the people by enhancing their free access to social and basic services.

These results are also a reflection of our steady commitment to linking humanitarian aid with developmental endeavors and peace efforts, what we call “the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus”. We hope with these interventions, we will be able to offset the ongoing humanitarian crisis and formidable challenges faced by both host and refugee communities, while laying the foundational elements of sustainable urbanization and providing spaces for reconciliation and social stability.

From today onwards, we want you, the Governor of Tripoli, the municipalities and local communities, to invest in these efforts and help generate -from this project- multiplier effects for the good of the people of this city and beyond.

I know of the importance of this work first-hand… Exactly one week ago, I was here in Tripoli visiting local NGOs and openly discussing with the people their most pressing needs, concerns, fears and hopes. I was amazed by the level of solidarity demonstrated by the people of Tripoli to the people of Lebanon, irrespective of their nationality and confession, all completely devoted to support each other unconditionally…

This is exactly what Lebanon needs right now. More than ever before, we need solidarity, hope but also the political will and active cooperation to see Lebanon’s multi-layered crises through together.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cities, like Tripoli, are hubs of resilience and human ingenuity. So, let’s invest in Tripoli’s great potential.

Also, Lebanon’s multi-faceted crises can be viewed as an opportunity for a national re-set. Let’s seize it too in order to build back a more just and greener recovery for the benefit of all.

Thank you.