LEBANON - Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a strategic framework for cooperation on institutional reform, public service delivery and sustainable infrastructure development.
The memorandum was signed by Public Works and Transport Minister Fayez Rasamny and UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon Blerta Aliko.
The agreement covers several national priorities, including digital transformation, urban and regional planning, sustainable public transportation, maritime safety and port sector development. It also aims to improve the sustainability of public assets and reduce their carbon emissions.
Under the memorandum, the two sides will also cooperate on crisis prevention, response and recovery, while providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen the ministry’s planning and implementation capabilities.
Minister Rasamny said the UNDP has long been an important partner to Lebanon, supporting key reforms and strengthening institutions across the public sector.
“Today, we are already seeing the fruits of this partnership, and this memorandum of understanding represents an important step toward deepening our cooperation,” he said.
Minister Rasamny highlighted the broad responsibilities of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, which include overseeing airports, ports, land border crossings, infrastructure and public transportation.
He said the ministry’s priority, amid human resources challenges, was to equip its qualified teams with the capabilities, expertise and international knowledge needed to implement reforms that would produce tangible improvements for citizens.
“Lebanon cannot afford to waste any more time,” the minister said, stressing the need to move forward with urgently needed reforms and projects while remaining prepared to capitalize on opportunities arising from rapid regional and geopolitical changes.
He said the memorandum would provide essential support for capacity building, institutional strengthening and reform implementation, helping the ministry turn plans and proposed solutions into concrete results.
“We know what needs to be done, and we have a strong team committed to delivering it,” the minister said. “With the right support and partnerships, we can accelerate implementation, strengthen the ministry’s ability to deliver services, and build more efficient, sustainable and resilient transportation systems and infrastructure in Lebanon.”
Aliko said the partnership renewed the shared commitment of the ministry and UNDP to supporting public sector reform, strengthening infrastructure governance and delivering more efficient, resilient and sustainable public services to people across Lebanon.
The memorandum comes as Lebanon continues efforts to improve public infrastructure and services while addressing institutional and resource constraints affecting state agencies.
