Launch of the Lebanese Local and Rural Development Website

Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, 

Dear Colleagues, Dear Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to be with you at the launching of the "Lebanese local and rural development" website. The United Nations welcome this initiative as we believe that local and rural development is an essential path towards sustainable development of the country. And the collection of data is an important step in the right direction.

The economic and financial crisis, added to the disastrous impact of the tragic August 4 port explosions and the COVID 19 have further aggravated the impact on the people in Lebanon. The political deadlock had prevented meaningful reforms and recovery.

With the designation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, we hope that he will be able to swiftly form a government capable of delivering reforms and rescuing the country from total collapse. 

Lebanon is at a turning point; a crossroad, to be serious on sustainable development through actions and policies, especially that the country possesses the human and productive capacities to improve the lives of its population. We often think of development as national and broad, when actually, we see more and more that it benefits from being local and specific. Notably, rural and local development is not often given the priority, especially in an urbanized country as Lebanon. However, these same areas, could be potentially a source of income and employment for Lebanese when a good planning is in place.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The initiative to launch the Lebanese local and rural development website, starting with the baseline study, is a move in the right direction. With more than 80% out of nearly 1200 municipalities answering questions on demography, infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and others from the baseline survey, there is a wealth of data collected that can feed a good, equitable and strategic planning as Lebanon is in dire need of quality, timely and disaggregated data, especially at the municipal level.

As an example, only 1 out of 4 indicators needed to monitor the Sustainable Development Goals from a gender perspective were available as of December 2020, with no geographical disaggregation. Such valuable data collected through the baseline survey can provide an insight into the current situation and is necessary for meaningful policymaking, efficient resource allocation, and effective public service delivery.

Collecting and producing data is just the first step. Systemizing and standardizing the data collection is just as important, while the verification of data is critical to have a clear look into the reality and having the right analysis that will frame priorities.  Collaboration is key with different stakeholders on the national level such as the national statistical office and the Central Administration of Statistics, as well as with international community and civil society at large. Comparing notes and harmonizing is particularly essential not only to ensure the high-quality of the data and its consistency but to inform right policies and frame the necessary related development programs and reforms. 

Finally, making this data accessible is critical for analysis and transparency. As the situation in Lebanon deteriorates, having access to data is critical to allow the Government at all levels and the international community, including the United Nations, to effectively target support, inform decision-making and assess whether these have made a difference in people’s life and that it has been felt by the people themselves. 

Timely, quality and disaggregated data can tangibly improve the lives of the people. Data at municipal level is particularly necessary given municipalities’ proximity to the people and their mandate in providing basic services, highlighting the importance of the Lebanese local and rural development website. 

Vulnerability analyses are particularly significant in Lebanon today with the country facing the devaluation of the national currency and people’s purchasing power, and a three-digit year-on-year inflation rate. Discussing and agreeing on a set of criteria on vulnerability, for which this initiative can provide the data, will be important to develop and enhance the social protection system in Lebanon. This is the main way to currently protect the most vulnerable people in Lebanon.

Thank you again for having me UN today, I commend the efforts of the rural and development inter-ministerial technical committee in cooperation with the IMPACT platform at the central inspection and I look forward to the materialization of this initiative and to what comes next concerning the verification of data, analysis and priority frameworks. Local development can truly make a difference and is essential to sustainable development. And to this end, UN stands ready to support and contribute to building back better Lebanon.

Thank you!