During the declaration of the “Garden of the Patriarchs–Diman” as a Hima within the Qadisha Valley on 6 August 2026, SPNL Director General Assaad Serhal presented Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi with a copy of the “Call for Supporting Community-Led Conservation Initiatives,” in the presence of Minister of Environment Dr Tamara El Zein and Dr Nizar Hassan, Senior Adviser for Science and Technology for the Arab States and Head of the Natural Sciences Section at UNESCO’s Regional Office. Adopted at the Levant Hima Meeting, the Diman Call sets out a shared commitment by municipalities, local communities, public institutions, religious and educational bodies, civil society, landowners, women, youth and conservation partners to revive the Hima as a model for community-led conservation and sustainable development. It calls for protecting and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, strengthening inclusive community stewardship, supporting sustainable livelihoods, safeguarding cultural heritage, empowering future generations, building climate resilience, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific innovation, improving ecological connectivity and fostering regional cooperation. The declaration also establishes SPNL as the initial secretariat for a renewable three-year term to facilitate cooperation, encourage further endorsements and report on implementation, while remaining an open and voluntary platform for cooperation across the Levant and beyond.
Open or download the full declaration (PDF)
