Lebanon and Morocco implement new waste and water infrastructure projects

In Lebanon, the Ministry of Environment has delivered new equipment to solid waste management facilities in Jeb Jannine, Zahle, and Baalbek. This initiative is part of the ‘Tadwir’ project, which is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The goal is to enhance the capabilities of sorting plants and landfills to improve waste collection, transportation, and treatment services.

Minister Dr. Tamara El-Zein noted that while the equipment helps mitigate the waste crisis and supports municipalities, it is not a singular solution. She emphasized the need for long-term reforms, including improved sorting at the source and enhanced landfill operations, to address the declining operational capacity caused by recent regional crises.

In Morocco, the Ministry of Equipment and Water has announced a strategic shift toward large-scale seawater desalination projects. Instead of building separate facilities, the government plans to establish a joint desalination plant in Tan-Tan to serve both Guelmim and Tan-Tan. This plant is expected to produce approximately 100 million cubic meters of water annually by 2030, allocated for drinking, irrigation, and industrial use.

Additionally, the Tiznit region's desalination initiative will be integrated into the expansion of the Souss Massa plant to create a more unified and efficient water infrastructure.