Signing Ceremony of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework

Your Excellency Prime Minister, Mr. Najib Mikati,

Your Excellencies Ministers of the Lebanese Government,

Your Excellencies Ambassadors to Lebanon,

Colleagues from the UN Country Team in Lebanon,

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, Good afternoon,

First, allow me to extend, once again, my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the tragic incident in which a boat carrying people, including children, capsized off the coast of Tripoli.

Amid these sad events, it is necessary to emphasize the pioneering and vital role of the Lebanese army in preserving national unity and protecting civil peace in Lebanon. The Lebanese army is an absolute guarantee for Lebanon’s security and stability.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We are meeting today to work together on putting Lebanon back on track to development!

It is now the time for Lebanon, which has always taken pride in its developmental, cultural, and scientific progress, to move forward on the path of sustainable development. Today, Lebanon is going through difficult times, which calls for concerted efforts to put an end to the obstacles and challenges that are constraining Lebanon’s progress towards its recovery and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is true that Lebanon is still mired in unprecedented crises, and that humanitarian needs continue to rise. But we cannot continue to find short-term solutions to end these humanitarian needs. We need instead sustainable solutions that address the root causes of Lebanon’s compounding crises. This requires an exceptional development approach.

I am referring here to “emergency development” as a transitional phase to achieve sustainable development, which helps put an end to humanitarian needs... An emergency development that puts an end to the protracted economic stagnation, that constitutes a potential catalyst for the country's growth, and ensures its prosperity... An emergency development that should be implemented at a fast speed, similar to the speed and urgency of the emergency humanitarian assistance that we have not stopped providing in response to the subsequent crises that severely affected the Lebanese people who are the priceless and inexhaustible treasure of this country.

This approach to development, requires, above all, a strong and firm commitment of all parties. It also requires the leadership, the will, and the commitment of the Lebanese government to implement reforms and to mainstream development in its policies and decisions, in ways that are beneficial to Lebanon and its people. Therefore, our collaboration and collective support are the starting point for our achievement here! Each one of us has a vital role to play in this trajectory: from the government to UN entities, and civil society organizations, the private sector, the parliament, municipalities, the academia, international financial institutions, the media, and donors.

Distinguished partners,

This cooperation framework did not come from void… The importance of this framework lies in the fact that it was based on an inclusive and participatory process that involved a series of extensive consultations with a wide range of national and international stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the private sector, the Lebanese government, donors, and religious leaders. Even the people voiced their concerns and priorities through social media platforms.

Four main pillars frame the priorities that have been identified in a participatory manner. These are:

(1) the People, (2) the Planet, (3) Prosperity, and (4) Peace. Four Ps that shape the following four strategic priorities we agreed upon: (1) Improved lives and well-being for all people in Lebanon; (2) Improved resilient and competitive productive sectors for enhanced and inclusive income-generating and livelihood opportunities; (3) Sustained peaceful and inclusive society for participatory and equitable development; and (4) Restored rich nature and ecosystem of Lebanon for inclusive green recovery.

Reforms are the key to achieving these priorities. They are the basis for the successful implementation of the cooperation framework, and at the heart of the support we aspire to. I reiterate my call for adopting swiftly the reforms in favor of the people and in order to accelerate the development process in the country.

Today is a very important day in which we renew years of continuous cooperation between the United Nations system in Lebanon and the Government of Lebanon, through a new Cooperation Framework. We gather today with a fervent hope to achieve a better future for Lebanon and its people, affirming our joint commitment by signing this people-centered framework that also exemplifies the spirit of partnership that is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to which Lebanon is committed to implementing while leaving no one behind.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Distinguished partners,

Today we are witnessing the beginning of a new chapter of constructive work, with public institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and the Donors. A new chapter of cooperation where we aim to translate these strategic priorities into joint action plans that fall under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and which would benefit Lebanon and its people.

I have no doubt that we will work together, with one heart and one mind, with shared responsibilities and mutual accountability, to achieve all that the country's recovery and sustainable development requires.

Thank you.