UN and Ministry of Interior Chair Elections Forum in Beirut

Held at the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in Beirut, the “Elections Forum” brought together representatives of the Lebanese government, civil society and the diplomatic community, including the UN.

“I welcome the Government’s commitment to engaging jointly on the topic, as we share an interest in elections being held in accordance with the Lebanese Constitution, as a pillar of democracy, and in fulfilment of the aspirations of the Lebanese people,” the Special Coordinator said in her opening remarks.

The discussions highlighted the importance of cooperation between different stakeholders for a successful elections process, including through the activation and reinforcement of the Supervisory Commission for Elections (SCE), active participation of civil society, and meaningful inclusion of women. 

“While it is primarily incumbent on Lebanon to ensure the elections take place in accordance with the Constitution and the electoral law, we are here today to see how we, as the international community, can best support Lebanon,” the Special Coordinator added.

Underlining the importance of bold and profound reforms for Lebanon, the Special Coordinator said the 2022 elections were critical to the success of the reform agenda and for rebuilding trust with the Lebanese citizens.

The Special Coordinator looked forward to future meetings of the Forum in continuation of the dialogue between the Government, domestic stakeholders and the international community in support of the electoral process.