LEBANON – Lebanon has launched a national package of specialised studies and a national Geographic Information System (GIS) platform to strengthen strategic planning for the solid waste management sector.
The initiative was launched under the patronage and in the presence of Minister of Environment Dr. Tamara Elzein, with support from the European Union and implementation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment.
The initiative aims to provide the necessary tools and data to support evidence-based planning and decision-making, contributing to the development of the solid waste management sector and enhancing its efficiency and sustainability.
Minister Elzein stressed that the role of the Ministry of Environment is to develop policies, regulatory and guidance frameworks, and provide the data and information required to support planning and decision-making.
She noted that the responsibility for implementing waste management services lies with the relevant authorities, primarily municipalities in their capacity as local authorities.
Elzein also highlighted the key role of the National Solid Waste Management Authority in strengthening governance within the sector, stressing that achieving sustainable waste management requires the adoption of effective cost recovery mechanisms.
She explained that effective cost recovery would enable municipalities to carry out their responsibilities, strengthen partnership and trust between local authorities and citizens, and ultimately improve the quality and long-term sustainability of waste management services.
