BEIRUT (Enmaeya News) - October 7, 2025

Lebanon’s Minister of Environment, Dr. Tamara El Zein, announced that she, along with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister, will not personally attend the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil

The decision comes as part of an effort to limit the country’s official delegation to a small group of core negotiators.

In an email to the small Lebanese delegation, El Zein stated that the Ministry of Environment decided to limit the team to those directly involved in official negotiations, canceling all other participations, including hers, the President’s, and the Prime Minister’s.

The Minister noted that the decision was based on principle rather than logistical or financial constraints, stating that sending large delegations to Brazil would contradict the message Lebanon is advocating at the Conference of the Parties.

El Zein added that “spending significant resources and emissions on participation that does not directly advance our negotiating priorities is both ineffective and unethical.”

She also stressed that Lebanon aims to align its climate commitments with responsible action.

The announcement has sparked debate among experts and observers. Some praise the move as principled and responsible, highlighting its focus on reducing costs and carbon emissions.

Others argue that having ministers at COP conferences is important, as it strengthens Lebanon’s influence in negotiations, raises the country’s visibility on climate issues, and helps build international partnerships.