Antalya:Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam addressed the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) Summit in Antalya, emphasizing the importance of environmental restoration and climate change adaptation as crucial elements in Lebanon's reconstruction efforts and stability.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, Prime Minister Salam highlighted the inseparable connection between Lebanon's climate challenges and the repercussions of wars and economic collapse. He explained that years of financial crisis have debilitated institutions and public utilities, while successive wars have resulted in extensive damage to infrastructure, agricultural lands, forests, and ecosystems.

Prime Minister Salam reported that environmental losses from Israeli attacks, which he described as violations of international humanitarian law, amounted to over $512 million in 2023 and 2024, with further losses in 2026. He underscored that the impact extends beyond these figures, leaving lasting scars on ecosystems, livelihoods, and communities.

Salam stressed that recovery efforts should not only focus on rebuilding physical structures but must also prioritize rehabilitating agricultural lands, restoring ecosystems, and reviving livelihoods. He called for environmental restoration and climate resilience to be integral to the reconstruction process, alongside achieving stability, restoring sovereignty, and upholding international law. He also urged for increased public funding, more grants, and easier access to existing financing mechanisms, considering the unique challenges faced by crisis-affected countries.