WMU : Provides High-level Expertise in Delivery of “Maritime Lebanon” Webinar for ICMPD

The online event was part of the EU-funded project “Strengthening Capability for Integrated Border Management in Lebanon (IBM III),” which focuses on enhancing Lebanon’s border governance and reinforcing a rights-based approach to border management while contributing to the security and stability of border communities in Lebanon.

Implemented by ICMPD, the project includes a focus on technical assistance to Lebanon in the development and advocacy of a National Integrated Maritime Policy.

WMU was represented by Professor Jens-Uwe Schröder-Hinrichs, Vice-President (Academic Affairs), who addressed the topic of “International Maritime Governance, Best Practices, and Legal Framework.” Further presentations included an in-depth analysis of Lebanon’s national maritime regime, infrastructure, and operation presented by Dr. Manal Nader, Director of the Institute of the Environment at the University of Balamand in Lebanon, and an empirical and evidence-based presentation on maritime governance and cooperation in the context of the Beirut Port made by Ms. Jihane Abi Khalil, Managing Director of Adelmar Logistics Sarl and a lecturer on logistics at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik in Lebanon.

Mr. Rein Nieland, Head of the Operations Section, Governance and Security, at the European Union Delegation to Lebanon, and Mr. Adrian Cooper, Head of ICMPD’s Beirut Office, delivered introductory notes. Ms. Maya Tayara, Head of the Maritime Training Division at the Lebanese Ministry of Public Works and Transport, also addressed the participants.

Dr. Aref Fakhry, WMU Associate Professor, moderated the webinar. In concluding the event, Dr. Fakhry highlighted the importance of maritime and marine management in Lebanon including the need to further integrate international actors in this domain, the fundamental role of civil society as well as the private sector in fostering and developing Lebanon’s maritime sector, and the prerequisite of implementing existing laws and conventions.

Webinar attendees included Lebanese Government officials, marine lawyers, and representatives of international organizations including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the Beirut-based United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX).

WMU has been supporting ICMPD in the development of Lebanon’s National Integrated Maritime Policy and the webinar provided the opportunity for wider exposure to the project. More webinars will follow as part of a series tackling different aspects of Lebanon’s maritime profile and outlook. WMU’s role will be instrumental in providing expertise to direct the national maritime policy-building process as well as to populate its content.