ECOTOWN PROJECT
Ecotowns on the Mediterranean Sea

Bahr Loubnan NGO & PA-UFM

On December 11th 2012, The NGO Bahr Loubnan has proposed a model for ecotowns along the Mediterranean Sea, based on their project in the small seaside town of Naqoura, Lebanon. Ecotown project has been launched from The Committee for Energy, Environment and Water of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean to be implement it along the Mediterranean coastline. The project requires the involvement and cooperation of local municipalities and NGOs.
Outlined below are the goals and plan of action necessary for the implementation of the Ecotown Project, as agreed by Bahr Loubnan and the Committee for Energy, Environment and Water of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean. Upon agreement of this document, local municipalities will collaborate with both parties, and help implement the proposed project as it is outlined below.

ACTORS


Bahr Loubnan is a non profit, non-governmental organization, founded in Lebanon in 2002 by Lebanese President of the Council of Ministers Rafik Hariri, (who was killed in Beirut by a booby-trapped car in 2005) and is now under the presidency of Mrs. Nazek Rafik Hariri. Bringing together environmental specialists, geographers, biologists and communication experts, the association finds long-term ways and means to prevent coastal and sea pollution, safeguard biodiversity and promote responsible management of Lebanon’s 225km coastal zone. Initiating & Coordinating the Ecotown Project is Dr. Rima Tarabay (Ph.D. in Geography- Sorbonne Paris), founding member and vice president of Bahr Loubnan.
Bahr Loubnan is keen to be involved in the fight led by Mediterranean countries against pollution. Based on the success of its leading project in the village of Naqoura, Lebanon, the NGO is keen to collaborate with the Union for the Mediterranean, and to transform selected cities, towns and villages on the Mediterranean coastline into ecotowns. These chosen locations should, like the village of Naqoura itself, correspond to the following criteria: a small population, the presence of sites in need of imminent environmental protection and cooperation from the local inhabitants.

PA-UfM, founded in 2008, the Committee for Energy, Environment and Water of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) organizes joint initiatives and develops procedures concerning renewable energies, soft mobility, the fight against climate change, the supply of sufficient drinking water, the improvement of the sea quality and the fight against environmental pollution. It operates along the guidelines and principles of the Union for the Mediterranean and is chaired by Professor Stefan Schennach. For five years, all members of the Committee of South and North have been working enthusiastically, always looking for solutions and good results. Crucial topics have been thoroughly discussed, and examples of best practice have been evaluated and well positioned.