Lebanese Green Party Advocates for Environmental Recovery and UN Resolutions at US Meeting

Beirut: Dr. Marie Therese Mehrej Saif, representing the Lebanese Green Party, participated in the Annual National Meeting of the Green Party of the United States held in Chicago. The event, which gathered leaders and members from across the U.S. and international green parties, focused on discussions about environmental and social justice, particularly from a women's leadership perspective. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, during the Women's Caucus session moderated by Jackie DeFino of the Green Party of Maine, the dialogue emphasized the connections between environmental justice and women's leadership. Dr. Saif addressed the assembly, highlighting Lebanon's challenges, especially in the South, where armed conflict, climate change, and environmental degradation intersect. She advocated for post-conflict reconstruction efforts that prioritize ecological restoration, support for farmers, and accountability for environmental harm. Dr. Saif underscored the essential role of women in recovery efforts , noting their critical contributions to environmental leadership, climate action, and peacebuilding. Online interventions from international participants, including Joanna Jerdi and Chirine Jerdi from Lebanon and Lucy Kagendo from Kenya, reinforced the need for international cooperation in the green movement and the advancement of women's leadership. Additionally, Dr. Saif was featured on the Green Socialist Notes podcast with host Howie Hawkins, a former US Green Party presidential candidate. She shared the Lebanese Green Party's vision for regional stability through education, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and the empowerment of youth and women. Dr. Saif also highlighted the environmental repercussions of the 2006 oil spill from the Jiyeh power plant and the importance of implementing United Nations resolutions, such as Resolution 61/194 and Security Council Resolution 1701, to ensure environmental restoration and lasting peace. In her concluding remarks, Dr. Saif called for enhanced collab oration among green parties and international organizations to address global challenges, emphasizing sustainable development, respect for international law, and the empowerment of women as core components of a just and environmentally sustainable future.