First National Urban Forum of Lebanon

Towards a more sustainable and inclusive future for Lebanese cities

Under the Patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Lebanese Republic

H.E. Mr. Najib Mikati

 

25–26 January 2022

About the National Urban Forum

The first National Urban Forum (NUF1) in Lebanon is being held from 25 to 26 January 2022, under the patronage of the President of the Council of Ministers of the Lebanese Republic, H.E. Mr. Najib Mikati.

The overall objective of this first NUF in Lebanon is to concretely discuss the increasing urban challenges, considering the multiple ongoing crises in Lebanon and articulate why an urban lens is indispensable to contributing to finding evidence-based solutions out of the current complexities, and to fostering a sustainable, inclusive and prosperous Lebanon.

During the NUF1 in Lebanon, four reports will be launched:

  1. UN-Habitat and ESCWA’s State of the Lebanese Cities Report
  2. UN-Habitat’s Guide on Mainstreaming Transport and Mobility in Lebanon’s National Urban Policy
  3. UN-Habitat’s Guide on Mainstreaming Housing in Lebanon’s National Urban Policy
  4. UN-Habitat’s Lebanon’s National Urban Policy Synthesis Report: Intersection of Housing and Transport

The two-day event will be livestreamed to the public and feature thematic sessions on housing, energy and transport, where different stakeholders will come together to discuss the state of these sectors in Lebanon and the priorities outlined in UN-Habitat’s housing and transport guides, and to outline possible immediate-term solutions to mitigate emerging needs until policy formulation advances.

For more background information on the NUF1, click here.

NUF1 programme, speakers and registration information is available below.

Register here.

Day 1 (25 January 2022)

Launch of the State of the Lebanese Cities Report

About
The first forum day is focused on positioning the event’s themes within the current urban political, policy and institutional landscape of the country. Following the opening of the forum, a plenary session will be held, where the current state of urbanization will be presented, launching the State of the Lebanese Cities Report prepared by UN-Habitat Lebanon in partnership with ESCWA.

 

Agenda

Time

Agenda item

9:30–10:00 a.m.

Opening remarks and launch of the State of the Lebanese Cities Report

10:00–10:45 a.m.

Session I: The state of urbanization in Lebanon
This session provides an overview of urbanization in Lebanon through the launch of the State of the Lebanese Cities Report.

11:00–11:25 a.m.

Session II: The significance of urban data: Data generation and evidence-led decision-making for urban crisis response and longer-term development

11:25–11:35 a.m.

Data for urban crisis response

11:45–11:55 a.m.

The role of data for municipal decision-making

11:55 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Summary and Q&A with the audience

For the full agenda and speaker information, click here.

Day 2 (26 January 2022)

Thematic sessions

About
Apart from the overarching theme “Towards a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future for Lebanese Cities,” NUF1 will specifically focus on three main themes, which have also been articulated as key focus areas for reform and focus in Lebanon by the recent ministerial statement issued on 16 September 2021 by the Government of Lebanon upon its formation, detailing its priorities for its term in office.

Theme 1: Towards the development of a national urban transport and mobility policy
Theme 2: Towards the development of an inclusive national housing policy
Theme 3: Towards sustainable energy solutions for an urbanizing Lebanon

Agenda

Time

Agenda item

9:30–10:00 a.m.

National anthem
Opening session:

  • Ms. Taina Christiansen (moderator), Head of UN-Habitat Lebanon Country Programme
  • Dr. Erfan Ali, UN-Habitat Regional Representative, Office for Arab States
  • Mr. Rein Nieland, Head of Section for Governance, Social Development and Civil Society, Delegation of the European Union to Lebanon
  • Mrs. Faten Abou Hassan, Director General, DGLAC, Ministry of Interior and Municipalities

10:00–11:30 a.m.

Session II: Towards the development of a national urban transport and mobility policy (launch of UN-Habitat’s Guide on Mainstreaming Transport and Mobility in Lebanon’s National Urban Policyand discussion on way forward)

For a breakdown of the session’s programme and panellist information, click here.

11:30–11:45 a.m.

Break

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.

Session III: Towards the development of an inclusive national housing policy (launch of UN-Habitat’s Guide on Mainstreaming Housing in Lebanon’s National Urban Policy and discussion on way forward)

For a breakdown of the session’s programme and panellist information, click here.

1:15–2:15 p.m.

Break

2:15–3:30 p.m.

Session IV: Towards sustainable energy solutions for an urbanizing Lebanon

For a breakdown of the session’s programme and panellist information, click here .

3:30–3:45 p.m.

Session V – Plenary recap: Adoption of NUF1 Declared Actions
Live Love Beirut (Ms. Sera Saad, Architect and Urban Planner)

For the full programme and speaker/panellist information of Day 2 of the NUF1, click here.

NUF Urban Fair

The fair is organized to provide an opportunity for selected partners to display the best examples of as well as future interventions in urban practices, mainly related to housing, transport, and renewable energy. The fair aims to promote these practices and solutions to exchange experiences, share knowledge, and demonstrate opportunities. Exhibitors will present publications and display visuals about their work.

Exhibitors

  • Beirut Heritage Initiative
  • Beirut Urban Lab (American University of Beirut)
  • Lebanese Centre for Energy Conservation
  • Lebanon Green Building Council
  • Public Works Studio
  • Riders’ Rights
  • Train/Train
  • United Cities