The National Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) honored the Caretaker Minister of Information, Engineer Ziad Makari, today at the ministry’s headquarters, recognizing his efforts in supporting environmental causes and sustainable media. A commemorative shield shaped like a cedar tree was presented to him during the ceremony.
Announcing the Launch of “Hima EcoMedia”
The meeting aimed to announce the launch of “Hima EcoMedia,” the world’s first sustainable media Hima. The event was attended by:
- Fadi Ghanem, President of the National Committee of IUCN and President of the “Ghadī” Association
- Assad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) and representative of BirdLife International
- Akram Sriewi, Editor-in-Chief of Al Thaer news website
- Michel Hassoun, Vice President of “Ghadī”
- Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environment Forum
- Rafic Makarem, Founder of the Al Matn Organization for Environment and Sustainable Development (MESD)
- Dr. Antoine Boutros, Head of the Health Committee at “Ghadī”
- Andre Bechara, Manager of SPNL’s SNOW program
- Bernard Ghossoub, The Dean of the Lebanese University of Fine Arts
- Antoine Barcha, CEO of Homat Al Hima International (HHI)
- Along with various environmental experts and media representatives.
Promoting Environmental Media: The “Hima for Green Media” Initiative
As part of ongoing efforts to integrate environmental consciousness into media, Ghadī Association has partnered with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) to launch the “Hima for Green Media” initiative. This initiative seeks to:
- Transform media into an effective tool for environmental protection.
- Promote traditional Hima values—an integral part of Arab and Islamic heritage—in sustainable resource management.
SPNL’s Perspective: A Dedicated Media Platform for Environmental Conservation
Assad Serhal, General Director of SPNL, expressed deep appreciation for Minister Makari’s continuous support of the Hima approach. He emphasized the need for a dedicated media platform to showcase Hima initiatives, which play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation while actively engaging local communities.
Similarly, Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF), elaborated on the Green-Blue Project, which integrates environmental conservation with sustainable economic development.
Additionally, André Béchara from SPNL introduced the concept of Himatourism, a holistic approach that intertwines ecological, cultural, and economic aspects of tourism. He also presented the SNOW program, designed to strengthen children’s connection to their land and heritage.
Fadi Ghanem’s Speech: Honoring Minister Makari and Unveiling “Hima EcoMedia”
At the start of the event, Fadi Ghanem delivered a speech, stating:
“We are gathered here today to express our gratitude to His Excellency, Minister Ziad Makari, for his outstanding efforts during his tenure at the Ministry of Information. Despite Lebanon’s challenges, he has left an indelible mark. We also take this opportunity to announce the launch of ‘Hima Ghadī News’ (Hima EcoMedia), the world’s first sustainable media reserve.”
He continued:
“With the ongoing climate crisis threatening our planet, green media has become an essential tool in raising awareness about environmental protection and promoting sustainable practices.”
Ghanem emphasized that “Ghadī News” is a leading environmental media platform in the Arab world, dedicated to covering environmental issues and highlighting sustainable solutions. This makes it the first media model that merges environmental heritage with modern innovation under the concept of a Sustainable Media Reserve.
Supporting the “30×30” Global Initiative: A Commitment to Protecting Nature
“Ghadī News” actively supports the IUCN’s “30×30” initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans by 2030. Through its articles and reports, the platform contributes by:
- Raising awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem sustainability.
- Encouraging governments and NGOs to adopt policies that protect natural areas.
- Educating communities on combating environmental degradation and increasing protected areas.
“According to UN studies, protecting 30% of the planet’s land and oceans could reduce species loss by 50% and enhance ecosystems’ resilience against climate change.”
“Hima for Green Media”: A Collaborative Initiative for Environmental Awareness
In line with its commitment to environmental journalism, the Ghadī Association, in collaboration with SPNL, launched the “Hima for Green Media” initiative, with objectives such as:
- Transforming media into an effective tool for environmental protection.
- Promoting the heritage values of the Hima system in sustainable natural resource management.
“Ghadī News” Becomes the First “Sustainable Media Reserve”
The designation of “Ghadī News” as the first sustainable media platform under the Sustainable Media Reserve model reinforces its commitment to Hima principles of fair resource distribution and prevention of overexploitation.
This initiative aims to:
- Protect forests and combat desertification.
- Support local communities through organized land use.
- Preserve biodiversity.
Green Media: Merging Heritage with Innovation
The “Hima for Green Media” initiative redefines the role of journalism in tackling environmental challenges. Ghadī News is not just a digital platform—it fuses the traditional Hima system with innovation to support sustainable development goals.
Ghanem emphasized that, through its support of the 30×30 initiative and its recognition as a pioneering sustainable media model, Ghadī News contributes by:
- Spreading environmental awareness across the Arab world.
- Enhancing cooperation between nations and global organizations for sustainable environmental protection.
- Establishing media as a key partner in global environmental efforts.
The Launch of “The Earthbound 30×30” Program
In a major step toward supporting global environmental efforts, “Ghadī News” announced the launch of its new program:
“The Earthbound 30×30 – On the Ground”
The program, set to be broadcast next month, will host distinguished IUCN members and environmental experts to discuss the “30×30” plan.
The program’s objectives include:
- Increasing awareness about the “30×30” initiative and its role in environmental conservation.
- Exploring effective methods for implementing this plan.
- Strengthening collaboration between governments, organizations, and local communities to support this global commitment.
Minister Makari: “Lebanon Can Only Be Saved If It Is Secular and Green”
For his part, Minister Ziad Makari praised “Ghadī News” and the launch of the world’s first Hima EcoMedia initiative.
He firmly stated:
“Lebanon can only be saved if it is secular and green.”
He stressed the importance of integrating environmental consciousness into media, adding:
“A healthy environment fosters a strong economy and green tourism opportunities through sustainable infrastructure, preventing rural displacement.”
Minister Makari expressed pride in launching the Hima initiative from the Ministry of Information, pledging to support its full potential.
“I am confident that whoever succeeds me as Minister of Information will uphold this essential partnership with environmental organizations.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Makari lamented that war and shifting priorities had hindered many projects. However, he emphasized that the launch of this initiative proves that:
“The Ministry of Information is not just a government institution—it is a ministry for the people, the youth, and all of Lebanese society.”
He concluded with a personal commitment:
“I promise to remain your partner even after I leave office. My engagement in political, social, environmental, and cultural affairs will continue as I monitor developments and share my insights whenever needed.”
