Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator, Imran Riza, at High-Level Panel Discussions on “Investing in Climate for Growth and Development: Launch of Lebanon’s Climate Policy Package”

Excellencies, Ministers, colleagues, and partners, 

Lebanon presents today an ambitious climate policy package under complex and evolving challenges. It stands as a testament to Lebanon’s determination and adaptive capacity - and proof that climate ambition and recovery must advance hand in hand.

Lebanon’s climate reality makes this urgency clear. Rising temperatures, recurring wildfires, floods, and water scarcity are already shaping lives and livelihoods. Yet these challenges also bring opportunities for innovation and transformation. The climate package presented today shows how Lebanon can turn pressure into progress - advancing cleaner growth, strengthening food and water systems, and protecting people and nature for generations to come.

This package is more than a set of documents.

It is a comprehensive roadmap that places Lebanon on a path towards achieving national climate targets - boosting economic growth while protecting vital sectors such as water, agriculture, health, biodiversity and infrastructure.

It reflects the UN’s call for next-generation climate plans aligned with the 1.5°C goal, setting reduction targets across all sectors by 2035, and positioning Lebanon on a path toward net-zero by 2050.

At the same time, it anchors a just transition, balancing decarbonization with job creation, competitiveness, and social protection, while seizing the opportunity to expand energy access.

This agenda is also about human security. As extreme events intensify, integrating early warning systems with local preparedness will save lives.

The UN system is mobilized to support Lebanon. Through the UNDP Climate Promise platform and the wider UN Country Team, we will keep providing coordinated support - offering policy expertise, financial tools, data, and convening power to turn targets into tangible benefits for communities, youth, and businesses.

Tomorrow, September 24th, in New York, the UN Secretary-General will host a Special High-Level Event on Climate Action – bringing together leaders from government, business, and civil society to drive progress across mitigation, adaptation, finance, and key areas aligned with the Paris Agreement and COP30 priorities.

As global momentum builds, the success of Lebanon’s climate package depends on whole-of-society mobilization. Let us rally behind this vision, invest in its implementation, and ensure that Lebanon’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient, and inclusive future becomes a model for others.

We commend the leadership of the Prime Minister and the Government of Lebanon for advancing this bold climate agenda. We also thank UNDP, and all UN agencies involved, for their steadfast partnership and technical support in making this vision a reality.