Tripoli: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Libya has announced the approval of funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a $5.8 million initiative in the Ubari Lakes Basin, to be rolled out in partnership with the Ministry of Environment.
According to Libyan News Agency, the GEF has allocated the funds for a new pilot project designed to tackle land degradation, preserve biodiversity, and boost resilience to climate change in Libya. The initiative, titled “Integrated Land and Water Management to Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services in Libya,” will be implemented by the Ministry of Environment with support from the UNDP.
This five-year initiative will focus on the Ubari Lakes Basin, addressing key issues such as land degradation and biodiversity loss while promoting sustainable economic growth. The project aims to establish a 100,000-hectare “Ubari Lakes National Park,” rehabilitate 225 hectares of wetlands and oases, and support 2,250 people-half of whom are women-with sustainable employment. Additionally, it aims to create nearly 700 new jobs in sectors like ecotourism and sustainable agriculture.
The program seeks to integrate nature-based solutions with local cultural practices, marking a progress towards meeting Libya’s climate objectives under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the 2030 Agenda.
The project will work to reverse ecosystem, biodiversity, and land degradation while mitigating climate change effects. It will align environmental conservation with national priorities, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources. Supported by the GEF, the initiative will offer a coordinated policy and operational framework that merges land and water management with biodiversity and livelihood strategies.
UNDP Resident Representative Sophie Kimkhadze expressed her support for the agreement, highlighting it as a strategic investment in both people and ecosystems. She emphasized the initiative’s role in safeguarding Libya’s natural heritage, expanding sustainable livelihood options, and building long-term resilience to climate change.
The initiative aims to enhance environmental governance by supporting national partners in establishing the Ubari Lakes National Park and updating policy tools to integrate biodiversity conservation, land degradation neutrality, and climate adaptation. It also plans to rehabilitate 225 hectares of degraded ecosystems in lakes, wetlands, and oases, promoting sustainable land and water management practices across 2,000 hectares.
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Global Environment Facility, noted that the initiative will focus on inclusive participation and indigenous knowledge, aiming to make the Ubari Lakes Basin a national model for nature-based solutions in arid environments.