The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) participated in the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the 71st Meeting of the GEF Council, held in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from 31 May to 5 June 2026. Representing SPNL was its Director General, Mr. Assad Serhal, who joined government officials, environmental leaders, international organizations, financial institutions, civil society representatives, Indigenous Peoples, youth networks, and development partners from around the world to discuss the future of global environmental governance and financing.
Convened under the theme “Last Sprint Towards 2030,” the Assembly served as the highest decision-making body of the Global Environment Facility, bringing together representatives of 186 member countries to review progress, establish priorities, and chart the course for the ninth replenishment cycle of the GEF (GEF-9), which will guide environmental investments and programming from 2026 to 2030.
As the world’s largest multilateral environmental fund, the GEF plays a central role in financing international efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, pollution, and other interconnected environmental challenges. Discussions in Samarkand focused on how governments, civil society organizations, and financial institutions can work together to accelerate action during the final years leading up to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals deadline.
Serhal’s participation highlighted SPNL’s growing role as a leading environmental organization in the Middle East and a recognized advocate for community-based conservation approaches. Throughout the Assembly and associated Civil Society Organization (CSO) Forum, he engaged with international partners and stakeholders to promote Lebanon’s pioneering Hima approach as a model for locally led conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource management.
The Assembly featured high-level roundtable discussions addressing some of the most pressing global environmental priorities, including science-based decision-making, systems transformation, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, blended finance mechanisms, private-sector engagement, and strategies to ensure that vulnerable countries and communities are not left behind in the transition toward sustainable development.
Particular attention was devoted to the GEF-9 replenishment cycle, for which donor countries have already pledged an initial USD 3.9 billion. Participants explored how these resources can be directed toward integrated solutions that simultaneously address climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, water security, land restoration, and sustainable livelihoods.
For SPNL, participation in the Assembly provided an important opportunity to advocate for increased support to local communities that serve as frontline stewards of nature. The discussions reinforced SPNL’s longstanding conviction that effective environmental action must be rooted in community engagement, traditional knowledge, equitable governance, and partnerships that connect local action with global commitments.
The event also highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between governments, civil society organizations, multilateral environmental agreements, and financial institutions. Through bilateral meetings and networking sessions, SPNL explored new opportunities for collaboration that can contribute to advancing conservation initiatives in Lebanon and the wider region.
The accompanying Civil Society Organization Forum provided a dedicated platform for civil society actors, Indigenous Peoples, women’s groups, youth organizations, and local communities to exchange experiences and recommendations. The forum emphasized the critical role of grassroots organizations in delivering environmental solutions and ensuring that international financing mechanisms reach local actors who are directly managing natural resources and protecting biodiversity.
Reflecting on the significance of the Assembly, Serhal stressed that environmental challenges can no longer be addressed in isolation. Climate change, biodiversity loss, water scarcity, and land degradation are interconnected crises requiring integrated solutions and stronger international solidarity. He emphasized that the Hima model demonstrates how communities can become active partners in achieving global environmental objectives while safeguarding cultural heritage and strengthening local resilience.
As the international community enters the final stretch toward 2030, SPNL remains committed to contributing to global efforts aimed at protecting nature, promoting sustainable development, and ensuring that environmental action benefits both people and ecosystems. The organization’s participation in the Eighth GEF Assembly reflects its continued engagement in shaping international environmental dialogue and advancing innovative conservation approaches that connect local communities with global environmental goals.
Through its presence in Samarkand, SPNL reaffirmed its commitment to building partnerships, mobilizing resources, and advocating for inclusive environmental governance that recognizes the indispensable role of local communities in safeguarding the planet’s future.
