Joint efforts towards support of the UN 2030 agenda and SDGs in Lebanon

December 28, 2018

On Wednesday December 19th, 2018, UNDP and Global Compact Network Lebanon (GCNL) signed an MOU following a Human Rights Panel, marking the beginning of a fruitful partnership, aiming at facilitating joint efforts towards the support of the UN 2030 agenda and SDGs in the country. The event took place at the American University of Beirut and notable key speakers were present. These included National Representative of the GCNL, Dr. Dima Jamali Mr. Philippe Lazzarini, MP Mr. Michel Moussa, MP Mr. Ghassan Moukheiber, Regional Representative for the MENA Region at the Head Office of the (OHCHR)Ms. Roueida El Hage, and Founder of Friedreich Ataxia Lebanese Association (FALA)  Ms. Marianne Hakim.

The Panel was introduced by Dr. Jamali who emphasized that: “this agreement came at the right time to support the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which lie at the core of the human rights framework. These include but are not limited to the right to proper healthcare, education, women empowerment, environmental protection, poverty eradication, and productive and creative economy activation." She then added that: “common agendas are crucially important for the country […] and since GCNL shares common goals and objectives with UNDP, notably in terms of commitment to human rights and the SDGs, this MOU formalizes an existing strong, long-lasting relationship based on mutual respect in the face of arising challenges in the upcoming stages.”

Mr. Lazzarini stressed that: “the areas of concern emerging the most in Lebanon are governance, anti-corruption, justice, rule of law and, more or less, issues related to the environment and inequality, prosperity addressing poverty here in the country where the middle class feels under terrible pressure.” He added Through these SDGs, anchored into Human Right values, citizens will succeed to define the type of country they will be in, type of society they would like to be in.” He concluded by stating that: “this is just one step in a longer and broader partnership that is definitely an important one and I am glad that UNDP together with Global Compact are reaching this agreement today.”

Following notable interventions and discussions from the key speakers and the audience, the MOU was signed by the UNDP Country Director, AI, Ms. Celine Moyroud and the National Representative of the GCNL, Dr. Dima Jamali.

Note that GCNL was launched in September 2015 and works closely with the UNGC headquarters to provide opportunities for learning, policy dialogue, and partnership on the Ten Principles of the newly formulated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). GCNL is growing strong with business and non-business participants joining from different sectors.