Minister of Agriculture Dr. “Nizar Hani” held a series of high-level bilateral meetings in the German capital, Berlin, on the sidelines of his participation in the “Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA)” activities.
He was accompanied in these meetings by the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer “Louis Lahoud”, and the Lebanese Ambassador to Germany, Mrs. “Abeer Ali”, in a clear indication of the Lebanese state’s keenness to expand the scope of its agricultural cooperation at the international level, and explore new ways that serve the rural economy and achieve food security, which reflects the Ministry of Agriculture’s trend towards active engagement in international decision-making forums.
“Hani” began his meetings with a meeting with the First Secretary of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Professor “Markus Scheik”, where mechanisms for strengthening agricultural cooperation between Lebanon and Germany were discussed, focusing on common priorities that include developing agricultural technology, supporting innovation, and enhancing production sustainability. The two parties agreed to activate coordination in preparation for holding an official meeting with the German Minister of Agriculture, in addition to preparing to sign a bilateral agricultural cooperation agreement that allows technical, technical and institutional support programs.
“Hani” expressed his thanks to the German government for its continued support for Lebanon, especially in rural development, food security and capacity building projects.
“Hani” also met with the Director General of the World Organization for Animal Health (“WOAH”), Dr. “Emanuelle Soubirian”, and an agreement was reached to expand and activate the role of the organization’s regional office hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture in Beirut. It was agreed to send a specialized technical delegation to Lebanon for a period of two weeks, with the aim of developing a comprehensive national plan for livestock that is in line with the region’s priorities, faces the challenges of climate change, and improves mechanisms for controlling transboundary animal diseases, in a step that is considered one of the most prominent paths for institutional development in the sector.
In a third stop, “Hani” met with Professor “Anas Al-Nabulsi”, Chairman of the Committee on World Food Security, where the importance of strengthening Lebanon’s presence in international forums concerned with food security and nutrition was emphasized. The two sides stressed the need to activate Lebanon’s participation in the work of the Committee on Food Security and develop partnerships that support flexible and sustainable food systems that take into account the specificity of countries affected by crises and support the resilience of rural communities.
“Hani” continues his participation in the meetings of the General Authority of the “Global Forum for Food and Agriculture”, contributing with the delegations of countries in discussing and adopting the final statement of the conference, which deals with strengthening water and food security, linking them to the role of agriculture in managing natural resources, and transitioning to sustainable production practices based on natural solutions and innovation, and expanding international cooperation in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goals Two and Six.
With these meetings, Lebanon strengthens its position as an active partner in discussing global food security issues, and opens new horizons that are directly reflected on the agricultural sector, farmers and the national economy.
