UN Country Team’s retreat explores how to Build Forward Better Lebanon

“Dream, Love, Inspire” that’s how the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Najat Rochdi kicked-off a two-day retreat for the UN Country Team in Lebanon that took place on 4 and 5 October 2021 in the heart of nature, in rural Beit Mery. “‘Dream’ for a better Lebanon... ‘Love’ for the love and dedication we owe to the people of Lebanon and to our common agenda… ‘Inspire’ for the inspiration we desperately need to continue to serve the people of Lebanon amid these unprecedented challenging times,” Ms. Rochdi explained.

Two years on from the COVID19 Pandemic, the popular protests and the devastating Beirut port explosions, the UN Country Team in Lebanon under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator, joined a ‘One UN’ retreat to share visions for a better Lebanon and help decide the next chapter of the Organization amid the country’s mounting challenges and inherent risks.

UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka welcomed the UNCT members and the concerted efforts to build a common UN vision on how best to support the Lebanese people and work towards a prosperous Lebanon. “If we are to have a positive influence on developments, the UN needs to respond to the Lebanese reality as a whole. To maximize our impact, we need to work concertedly. Our political, peacekeeping, development and humanitarian efforts must go hand in hand,” Ms. Wronecka said.

Over 25 Heads of UN Agencies operating in Lebanon engaged in a vigorous debate, sharing their thoughts, knowledge, and good practices to help shape the new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) that will guide the work of the UN in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 The group works were the essence of the retreat’s interdependent sessions, tackling important socio-economic, political and environmental priorities in Lebanon. These joint exercises proved to be a catalyst for inter-agency harmony and synergy in identifying multi-dimensional risks, triggers and prevention and mitigation measures to address Lebanon’s challenges and overcome obstacles that would jeopardize the work of the UN. “I came, thinking we would have two days of formal exchanges and dry lengthy statements. I left with a sense of purpose, expectations, energy, and the feeling that I was part of a team,” said Zarak Jan, Co-Chair of the joint UN Programme Management Team. 

The sessions also provided a good opportunity to get everyone around the table and re-consider the current way of doing business to help Lebanon surmount its formidable problems. “Business as usual is no longer an option for the UN in Lebanon. That’s why we commit to working together to turn Lebanon’s crises into opportunities and ‘Build Forward Better’ through actionable, accountable and effective programs that serve first and foremost the interests of the people,” explained Ms. Rochdi in one of the sessions.

Partnerships are central to Lebanon’s recovery and this was also discussed in the retreat in the presence of representatives from the European Union, World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and Civil Society in Lebanon, who committed through concrete actions to optimize the way different entities work together to ensure they deliver the greatest value for the people of Lebanon.

For participants, the retreat created comradery and helped promote friendly interactions and networking among different UN heads of agencies away from the usual office setting.  “The retreat provided an excellent space to see colleagues again and have the space to brainstorm how the UN can best support Lebanon in its recovery,” said UN Women Director in Lebanon, Rachel Dore-Weeks. “It reminded us all of the power and importance of face-to-face discussions, and the need to work together across the humanitarian, development and peace nexus in Lebanon”, she added.

The two-day retreat concluded with an interactive wrap-up of the main UNCT retreat’s outcomes and culminated in a group dance on “Jerusalema” song. A group photo was taken in memory of this year’s UNCT retreat and a short video was created for this occasion.