BEIRUT (Enmaeya News) — Lebanon convened a high-level agricultural conference on Wednesday titled “Agriculture is the Earth’s Pulse”, under the patronage of President Joseph Aoun, who inaugurated the event at the Beirut Waterfront. The conference gathered Lebanese and Arab ministers, parliamentarians, and agricultural experts to address the challenges and future prospects of Lebanon’s agricultural sector.

In his opening remarks, Charles Arbid, head of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, said agriculture’s limited contribution to GDP reflects long-standing structural weaknesses and insufficient government support. He called for urgent reforms to strengthen the sector and ensure its sustainability. Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani announced the launch of a national campaign under the conference’s title, describing it as a strategic effort to boost growth. He said agriculture is key to both food security and economic development.

The conference included sessions on investment opportunities, policy incentives, and strategies for advancing sustainable agriculture in Lebanon. Discussions also addressed the future of food security in the country. Participants included Finance Minister Yassin Jaber, Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh, and agriculture ministers from Jordan, Syria, and Palestine. Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) also took part. Speakers stressed the urgent need for structural reforms and international cooperation to strengthen Lebanon’s agricultural sector and support long-term national development.