The UNESCO Regional Office in Beirut, in partnership with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), convened a high-level regional meeting to advance a shared vision for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development across the Levant.
The meeting, held online on 2 April 2026, brought together leading international organizations, national authorities, and regional experts to explore how the Hima approach, a community-based conservation system rooted in local traditions, can be integrated with globally recognized frameworks including UNESCO biosphere reserves, World Heritage sites, and geoparks.
As outlined in the official meeting agenda , the event aimed to establish a collaborative platform to exchange experiences, address biodiversity loss, and shape future conservation pathways in the region.
From Local Stewardship to Global Frameworks
At the core of the discussions was the recognition that conservation efforts must bridge local knowledge systems and international standards.
Assad Serhal, Chairman of the BirdLife Middle East Partnership and Director General of SPNL, emphasized that the Hima approach represents a governance model grounded in community stewardship, cultural heritage, and sustainable resource use.
Participants highlighted that Hima offers a practical and scalable solution to contemporary environmental challenges by:
- Empowering local communities as primary custodians of ecosystems
- Enhancing sustainable livelihoods
- Reinforcing social cohesion and environmental responsibility
Martin Harper, Chief Executive Officer of BirdLife International, noted that this approach aligns strongly with global biodiversity strategies and contributes to achieving international targets such as the 30×30 conservation goal.
Integrating Internationally Designated Areas, A Strategic Imperative
A key contribution to the meeting came from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which emphasized the growing importance of Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs) and coordinated conservation frameworks.
According to the IUCN presentation :
- Over 4,000 internationally designated areas exist globally, including biosphere reserves, World Heritage sites, Ramsar sites, and geoparks
- Approximately 395 areas hold multiple international designations, creating opportunities for enhanced cooperation and visibility
However, participants also acknowledged challenges associated with these frameworks, including:
- Fragmented governance structures
- Overlapping legal and administrative systems
- Competition for resources and recognition
- Confusion among local stakeholders
At the same time, these multi-designation systems present significant opportunities:
- Strengthened institutional coordination
- Integrated landscape and seascape management
- Enhanced global visibility and funding prospects
- Better alignment between conservation, culture, and development
The discussions highlighted that Hima can serve as a unifying, community-centered layer within these complex international frameworks, ensuring that conservation remains people-centered.
Towards Integrated Conservation Landscapes
Participants emphasized the need to move from isolated conservation sites toward integrated, multifunctional landscapes that connect:
- Hima community-managed areas
- UNESCO biosphere reserves
- Geoparks and other protected areas
- Critical ecological corridors, including migratory flyways
The integration of these approaches was identified as essential for addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem fragmentation.
Tim Badman, Director of the World Heritage Programme at IUCN, underscored that linking nature and culture is fundamental to effective conservation, and that placing people at the center of these efforts is critical for long-term success.
Regional Momentum and Country Engagement
Country interventions demonstrated growing regional momentum:
- Jordan, through the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, showcased advanced protected area management models and proposed new sites incorporating Hima principles
- Syria presented officially recognized conservation areas and outlined pathways for future site designation despite institutional challenges
- Palestine highlighted existing conservation initiatives and stressed the importance of sustained international support
- The Levant 2026 Accelerator Initiative was introduced as a platform to scale regional cooperation, innovation, and knowledge exchange
Across all presentations, countries demonstrated a shared commitment to expanding conservation efforts while navigating complex environmental, political, and institutional realities.
Shared Challenges in a Complex Region
Participants identified several cross-cutting challenges:
- Limited financial and technical capacity
- Gaps in governance and policy coherence
- Environmental pressures, including climate change and land degradation
- The impact of regional instability on conservation planning and implementation
There was strong consensus that these challenges require coordinated, cross-border responses and long-term investment.
Key Outcomes and Strategic Directions
The meeting concluded with a clear set of strategic priorities:
- Recognizing the Hima approach as a cornerstone model for inclusive and sustainable conservation
- Expanding integration between Hima, biosphere reserves, geoparks, and other international designations
- Supporting countries in advancing both existing and proposed conservation sites
- Strengthening global and regional partnerships to ensure coordinated action and shared responsibility
- Promoting nature-culture approaches that place communities at the center of conservation
Participants also committed to continued collaboration and joint engagement in upcoming international platforms, including initiatives linked to Samarkand, reinforcing the region’s role in global conservation dialogues.
A New Paradigm for Conservation in the Levant
The meeting underscored a transformative shift in conservation thinking, one that recognizes that biodiversity protection cannot be separated from people, culture, and governance.
By integrating traditional systems like Hima with modern international frameworks, stakeholders are laying the foundation for a new conservation paradigm, one that is:
- Inclusive and community-driven
- Scientifically informed and globally connected
- Adaptable to complex regional realities
This initiative marks an important step toward building resilient ecosystems, empowered communities, and sustainable futures across the Levant and beyond.
