The Minister of Energy and Water, Joe Al-Saddi, held, within the framework of the ongoing strategic dialogue on the water sector, the semi-annual meeting with international donors, in the presence of the Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon Cyril Dewaleyne, the Director of the Water and Sanitation Program at the European Union Delegation Ivenka Todorova, the Director of the French Development Agency (AFD) in Lebanon Jean-Bertrand Muth, accompanied by Engineer Rami Saliba and the agency’s advisor Mireille Rizk, the senior expert in the water and sanitation sector at the World Bank Sally Zogheib, President Development Mission at the German Embassy Uta Simon, Director of the Water Project at the German GIZ Nadim Melhem, Representative of the German Development Bank KFW Paul Suqeim, Director of the BGR Project Sarah Enas, Head of the Water and Sanitation Department at UNICEF Dominique Porto and Specialist in the Water, Sanitation and Public Hygiene Program Joanna Saadeh, Deputy Head of the Cooperation Office at the Swiss Embassy Lux Rieger accompanied by the National Program Officer for Water and Pollution Treatment Michele Al-Jalkh.
The research discussed the progress of work related to reforms in the water sector, especially modernizing the organizational structure of the Ministry of Energy and Water and water institutions, in addition to the functional role.
Al-Saddi presented the steps taken in this regard, announcing the completion of the appointment of new water management boards in the institutions of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, the Bekaa, the North and the South, and opening the door for nominations to the Board of Directors of the National Litani River Corporation.
The reality of the sanitation sector was investigated and work progressed in this regard, especially after Al-Sadi agreed with the World Bank to develop a plan to ensure the financial sustainability of the sanitation sector.
Al-Saddi also presented development affairs related to the sectors concerned by the Ministry with a delegation including the mayors of: Wadi Shahrour Al-Lower, George Abi Rashid, Wadi Shahrour Al-Upper, Hanna Abu Murad, Haret El-Sit Shadi Al-Ghawi, Basaba, Charbel Abi Antoun, Kfarshima, Wassim Al-Raji, and Deputy Mayor Andre Al-Murr, accompanied by the coordinator of the Baabda region in the “Lebanese Forces,” George Mezher.
