In a significant move to strengthen Lebanon’s environmental protection efforts, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Ministry’s headquarters. The agreement marks a new phase of cooperation aimed at curbing illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking across the country.
This landmark MoU represents a milestone in Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to enforce environmental laws, protect endangered species, and combat illegal wildlife activities. The partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture and SPNL reaffirms a shared commitment to a more sustainable and biodiverse future.
Held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture, the event brought together key national and international partners, including Mr. Assad Serhal, Founder and Chairman of Homat Al Hima International (HHI) and Director General of SPNL (BirdLife Partner in Lebanon); Mr. Axel Hirschfeld, President of CABS International; Eng. Malek Ghandour, President of the Lebanese Environment Forum; Kamal Abou Assi, Projects Implementation Coordinator at Shouf Biosphere Reserve, and Mr. Fadi Ghanem, President of the IUCN National Committee of Lebanon.
In his welcome speech, Mr. Adonis El Khatib, President of the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC), stressed the importance of involving hunters as guardians of nature, turning them from part of the problem into central actors in the solution.
The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) was highlighted as a flagship initiative in partnership with SPNL and CABS. It has worked closely with security forces and environmental judges to combat violations and reduce illegal bird trade. Through awareness campaigns, field monitoring, and law enforcement collaboration, the unit has helped reclaim key ecological areas previously known as hotspots of environmental abuse.
The event also underscored the importance of the CITES Convention as a guiding framework for regulating wildlife trade. Lebanon’s commitment to this agreement was presented as a cornerstone of national and international collaboration to preserve biodiversity for future generations.
Mr. Axel Hirschfeld, President of CABS, praised recent progress but called for stronger enforcement, especially in Lebanon’s northern regions. He emphasized the need to close legal loopholes and foster deeper cooperation between authorities, communities, and civil society actors.
Ms. Shirine Bou Raffoul, Head of the APU and CABS Representative in Lebanon, shared insights from operations combating wildlife trafficking, including market surveillance and joint raids with security forces. She stressed the high-risk nature of this work and reaffirmed the team’s readiness to partner with all stakeholders committed to genuine conservation.
Mr. Assad Serhal, Director General of SPNL, framed the MoU as a practical step toward fulfilling Lebanon’s obligations under international environmental agreements, including CITES, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the national pledge to protect 30% of Lebanon’s land by 2030.
“This memorandum is more than a declaration; it is a binding roadmap for joint action on awareness, training, law enforcement, and community engagement — particularly with hunters, women, and farmers,” Serhal said.
He also reaffirmed SPNL’s commitment to fully fund the MoU’s implementation and introduced a parallel initiative to establish scientifically designated responsible hunting zones, ensuring both species protection and community livelihoods.
In his keynote address, Minister Hani reiterated the Ministry’s responsibility for forests outside protected areas and for marine fisheries — a sector often overlooked despite its significance. He emphasized ongoing efforts to develop marine protected areas and implement Law No. 47/2017 on Animal Protection and Welfare, which aligns with CITES and regulates the trade in wildlife.
Minister Hani also stressed the need to establish a national classification of endangered species and link natural and agricultural areas through ecological corridors — part of the EU-funded BioConnect Project.
“This MoU is part of a broader vision where civil society plays a central role in enforcing environmental laws, raising awareness, and ensuring the sustainability of Lebanon’s rich natural heritage,” he said.
