Latest news with #AlessandraViezzer
Web Release
05-06-2025
- Business
- Web Release
EBRD and EU support sustainable and eco-friendly winemaking in Lebanon
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the European Union (EU) recently organised a workshop on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in eco-friendly and sustainable winemaking, helping to strengthen the resilience and economic growth of small wine-producers in Lebanon. The event was attended by Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation in Lebanon and Syria at the EU delegation, Richard Jones, the EBRD's Head of SME Finance and Development for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Nizar Hani, the Lebanese Minister of Agriculture, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud and Zafer Chaoui, the President of Lebanon's National Institute of Vine and Wine. The workshop, which was organised in collaboration with the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture and the National Institute of Vine and Wine (INVV), brought together more than 70 small local businesses and key players in Lebanon's private sector specialising in winemaking. Those businesses had the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of AI and robotics by attending a series of technical sessions led by local wine experts. The experts shared their knowledge on the basics of using AI in agriculture and the importance of using such innovations responsibly in winemaking. Participants also learned about ways of complying with sustainability standards and certification requirements which would enable them to export their products to new markets around the world. The experts also shared new AI software tools and practical applications which could help to improve the quality of wine production. Lebanese winemakers shared details of the challenges that they faced when producing wine – explaining, for instance, that political instability and economic crises were disrupting production and exports, while limited access to water and energy was making it difficult to achieve consistency in the quality of grapes. Participants took part in a brainstorming session looking at innovative solutions to help improve their wineries and vineyards. Khalil Dinguizli, Head of Lebanon at the EBRD, said: 'Today's event is a valuable opportunity to highlight the resilience of Lebanon's private sector, particularly its SMEs, which continue to grow despite numerous challenges. The determination of Lebanese entrepreneurs is truly inspiring and lies at the heart of our growing collaboration with the European Union to support the private sector through tailored programmes'. He added: 'At the EBRD, and across everything that we do, we have three institutional priorities we promote and work towards: supporting the Green Transition, supporting the Digital Transformation, and working towards Equality of Opportunity and Inclusion. Today's topic is at the intersection of all three. Since 2018, with EU funding, we've supported over 330 Lebanese SMEs through more than 450 projects and various trainings. With the launch of the Innovation Programme in 2023 and the Resource Efficiency & Circularity Programme in 2024, we are eager to extend this support to Lebanon's wine sector—fostering innovation, research, and greener business practices.' After welcoming all the participants, the President of the National Institute of Vine and Wine in Lebanon, Zafar Chawi, said: 'Our gathering today reflects our collective awareness that the future of the vine and wine sector depends on our ability to adapt and innovate. We take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude for the cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Your presence with us today confirms your interest in inclusive economic growth in our region and your commitment to supporting small and medium enterprises in the wine sector through funding applied research projects and helping small producers face real and pressing challenges. This workshop and the projects associated with it represent a model example of how to build a bridge between science and nature, ensuring that innovation serves everyone — especially the passionate small producers who give Lebanese wine its unique identity.' The Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Engineer Louis Lahoud, expressed his gratitude to the Minister of Agriculture for his support and backing of the sector, and continued by saying: 'We achieve accomplishments through the integration of everyone's efforts. I salute the private sector, particularly the National Institute of Vine and Wine in Lebanon and the Lebanese Wine Union, for their dedicated efforts. I also call on everyone to collaborate to further develop the sector. Our gathering today is an excellent initiative to support this chain within the production chains. Lebanon deserves all the best, and I thank all the universities for their cooperation in this regard. Artificial intelligence is becoming central to the work of the Ministry of Agriculture, which has organized training sessions aimed at development and growth.' Lahoud also announced that the Ministry of Agriculture will continue promoting Lebanese wine in local and international markets. Alessandra Viezzer, Head of Cooperation in Lebanon and Syria at the EU Delegation, said: 'Innovation is a key driver of SME competitiveness and economic growth in Lebanon. I am very pleased to witness the outcomes of the partnership between the EBRD and the EU. Over the past few years, our collaboration with the EBRD has supported numerous SME initiatives — a significant achievement that has helped sustain the dynamism of Lebanon's private sector, despite the challenging times the country has faced.' She added: 'We will continue to stand alongside Lebanon and its private sector to continue invest in knowledge, innovation and people because these are the main factors of sustainable growth.' EBRD's Head of SME Finance and Development for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean, Richard Jones said: 'Lebanon has faced multiple crises in recent years, yet its private sector remains dynamic and its entrepreneurs resilient. As a private sector-focused institution, we see great potential in Lebanon once ongoing reforms take hold. Given the challenges in the local banking sector, we have partnered with the European Union to develop two tailored programmes supporting SME competitiveness: one fostering industry-academia collaboration to drive innovation, and the other advancing the green transition with access to finance through repayable grants. Our goal is to empower SME champions to realize their full potential. Today's event highlights our commitment to sectoral collaboration and capacity building. Lebanon's internationally renowned wine industry can thrive even more with the right support, and we are proud—thanks to generous EU funding—to contribute to its sustainability and technological advancement.' Minister of Agriculture Dr. Nizar Hani stated: 'Building the future of agriculture requires the tools of the technological revolution, foremost among them artificial intelligence. In this context, today's workshop aims to shed light on the wine sector, which holds significant economic and cultural importance in Lebanon. 'We believe that developing this sector will not only stimulate the local economy but also create new job opportunities for youth and enhance the competitiveness of Lebanese products in both local and international markets.' He added: 'The Ministry of Agriculture reaffirms its full commitment to supporting this vital sector and will take the recommendations of this workshop into consideration within its national strategy. It also calls for unified efforts among all partners, including government entities, international organizations, universities, experts, and civil society.' Since the start of its operations in Lebanon, the EBRD has invested more than €860 million in the country, focusing on enhancing the competitiveness of the private sector, promoting sustainable energy, and improving the quality and efficiency of public services.
National News
16-04-2025
- Health
- National News
World Health Day 2025: ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures' Lebanon reaffirms maternal health as a national priority
NNA - On the occasion of World Health Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) Lebanon Country Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), reiterated its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of mothers and newborns, emphasizing that maternal health is a national priority and cornerstone of resilience and development. This year's commemoration, held under the patronage of Minister of Public Health Dr Rakan Nassereldine, convened national and international stakeholders under the theme Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures. The theme is a powerful reminder that a healthy, thriving society begins with the protection of mothers and children, and that the survival of the next generation depends on the strength of our health systems today. WHO Representative in Lebanon Dr Abdinasir Abubakar and Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon Mrs Alessandra Viezzer both underscored the urgency of building inclusive and equitable health systems during the event. Globally, maternal and newborn mortality figures are alarmingly high, with nearly 400 000 stillbirths and 500 000 newborn deaths recorded each year. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, newborn deaths account for nearly 60% of under-5 mortality, with some countries reporting maternal mortality ratios as high as 600 per 100 000 live births – in stark contrast to the global target of 70 per 100 000 by 2030. Lebanon has made notable strides, achieving a 38% reduction in maternal mortality between 2000 and 2017. However, recent data indicates that progress is stalling. In 2023, Lebanon recorded 24 maternal deaths out of 93 697 deliveries. Under-5 mortality rates in Lebanon increased significantly between 2018 and 2023. Neonatal deaths rose from 5.3 to 11.22 per 1000 live births, infant mortality climbed from 7.4 to 15.59, and under-5 mortality surged from 9.6 to 18.16. These setbacks are rooted in multiple crises. Prolonged COVID-19 lockdowns disrupted access to timely care; the sudden economic collapse and inflation in 2022 pushed health care beyond the reach of many, and structural challenges include limited intensive care capacity in peripheral areas. Sociocultural dynamics also play a role: early marriages among refugee populations and increasing pregnancies among older maternal ages contribute to poorer outcomes. Health Minister Dr Rakan said 'The notion 'Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,' encapsulates the essence of our shared mission: to ensure that every child is given the opportunity to thrive from the very first breath, and that every woman experiences pregnancy and childbirth in safety, dignity, and with full access to the care she needs'. Meanwhile, Mrs Alessandra Viezzer stated that 'The European Union has been a steady partner to Lebanon, especially in difficult times and moments of change. Today's celebration is also an opportunity to show our support for Lebanon's own vision of making health care available to everyone. We remain committed to standing by the country and its people, especially in keeping essential services like primary health care running. A stronger public health system is key to better health for all who live in Lebanon. It needs to be reliable, transparent, and focused on people's needs'. Speaking at the event, Dr Abdinasir Abubakar stressed that WHO's commitment to Lebanon remains firm. He emphasized the need to raise awareness among pregnant women and their families, expand the training of health care workers, and continue strengthening the national health system to drive maternal and newborn mortality rates lower. 'Despite important strides in maternal health,' Dr Abubakar noted, 'the work must not stop here.' In the face of adversity, Lebanon's health sector, with WHO's technical support and under the leadership of the MoPH, has demonstrated resilience. Over the past 3 years, WHO Lebanon Country Office has adopted a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach, addressing urgent needs while reinforcing long-term health system capacity. A key milestone has been the development of the National Health Strategy which outlines a clear vision for modernizing and rebuilding Lebanon's health sector with a focus on equity, quality and sustainability. The second-year review of this strategy has shown steady progress, documenting existing practices, identifying gaps and mapping out solutions. WHO has played a pivotal role in Lebanon's cancer control efforts, supporting MoPH's development of the country's first national cancer control plan and participating in multiple national cancer committees. In 2024, Lebanon joined the Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer, with WHO supporting the provision of essential cancer medications to the most vulnerable patients. There has been significant progress in the area of immunization. In 2024, WHO, in collaboration with MoPH and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), launched a national campaign to vaccinate children under 5 living in shelters against polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). The campaign successfully reached 80% of targeted children across 879 shelters, significantly reducing the risk of outbreaks among displaced populations. Nonetheless, greater investment and efforts are needed to improve overall vaccination coverage and prevent major vaccine preventable disease outbreaks. WHO's work has been instrumental in strengthening Lebanon's primary health care network, enabling the equitable provision of essential, people-centered services across the country. The number of MoPH-supported primary health care centres has grown to 317, addressing the rising demand for acute and chronic care driven by increased poverty, reduced purchasing power and medication shortages in the private sector. Between 2018 and 2024, demand for primary health care services increased by 106%. The share of Lebanese patients accessing these services rose from 17% in 2017 to 55% in 2024, with nearly 2 million individuals served. WHO continues to secure chronic and acute medications for over 500 centres and dispensaries, benefitting more than 250 000 people of all nationalities, a critical lifeline in a system now almost entirely dependent on donor support. WHO has supported 12 public hospitals, providing essential equipment and training to improve the quality of intensive care and emergency services. Building on previous emergency response trainings, WHO launched a national mass casualty capacity-building programme, training 5770 health care workers in emergency case management, mental health and de-escalation techniques. In parallel, the Organization distributed 240 trauma surgical kits and 10 000 blood bags, and covered hospitalization costs for more than 3000 patients suffering catastrophic illness. Over 7000 war wounded patients have benefited from the supplies and technical support provided by WHO to frontline hospitals. WHO's support also enabled the activation of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) in 2023. PHEOC has become central to Lebanon's emergency preparedness and response efforts, including during recent security escalations. Additionally, WHO and UN partners collaborated with MoPH on an accelerator plan focused on advancing sexual and reproductive health through improved policies, capacity-building, quality assurance and community awareness. WHO advocates and supports the use of digital technology to modernize the health information system and supply chain management and enhance accountability and transparency, and has contributed to the development of MoPH's vision for digital health transformation. None of these achievements would have been possible without the continued collaboration of dedicated health sector partners and the generosity of donors. Their contributions have enabled Lebanon's health system to remain functional and responsive at a time of extraordinary national hardship. As Lebanon marks World Health Day 2025, WHO calls on all partners, donors and stakeholders to maintain – and expand – their support to the health sector. The progress made is real but fragile. Maternal and newborn health must remain at the top of the national agenda. It is not just a public health necessity. It is the foundation on which peace, prosperity and social justice rests. Now is the time to invest in every mother's safety, every child's chance at life and every family's hope for a healthier tomorrow. -- UNIC ---------------------
