The United Nations Development Programme in Libya announces approval of funding for a project in the Ubari Lakes Basin.

Tripoli, December 22, 2025 (LANA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Libya announced the approval of funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for a $5.8 million project in the Ubari Lakes Basin, to be implemented jointly with the Ministry of Environment.

The UNDP stated that the GEF approved $5.8 million for a new pilot initiative that will help Libya halt land degradation, protect biodiversity, and enhance resilience to climate change. The Ministry of Environment will implement the "Integrated Land and Water Management to Enhance Ecosystem Goods and Services in Libya" initiative, with support from the UNDP.

He explained that this initiative, which will continue for the next five years and focuses on the Ubari Lakes Basin, will address the critical challenges of land degradation and biodiversity loss while promoting sustainable economic development. He noted that the initiative will lay the groundwork for the proposed 100,000-hectare "Ubari Lakes National Park," rehabilitate 225 hectares of wetlands and oases, support 2,250 people (50% of whom are women) with sustainable employment opportunities, and create nearly 700 new jobs in ecotourism and sustainable agriculture.

He pointed out that the program, which integrates nature-based solutions with authentic local cultures, represents a significant step towards achieving Libya's climate goals under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the 2030 Agenda.

According to the program, the project in the Ubari Lakes Basin aims to reverse the degradation of ecosystems, biodiversity, and land, while mitigating the effects of climate change. Its aim is to integrate land and water management, align environmental conservation with national priorities, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. This initiative, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), will provide a coordinated policy and operational framework that integrates land and water management, biodiversity, and livelihoods.

UNDP Resident Representative Sophie Kimkhadze welcomed the agreement, stating, “This initiative in the Ubari Lakes Basin represents a strategic and timely investment in people and ecosystems, helping Libya protect its natural heritage, expand sustainable livelihood opportunities, and build long-term resilience to climate change.”

She added that to achieve these goals, the initiative is expected to strengthen environmental governance, including supporting national partners in laying the groundwork for the proposed 100,000-hectare Ubari Lakes National Park, and updating policy and planning tools to integrate biodiversity conservation, land degradation neutrality, and climate adaptation. The initiative will also rehabilitate 225 hectares of degraded ecosystems in lakes, wetlands, and oases, and promote sustainable and resilient land and water management practices across 2,000 hectares, helping to restore ecosystem services and reduce pressure on scarce natural resources.

"By working together with all communities, economic development and ecological balance can be achieved," said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Global Environment Facility. "With a strong focus on inclusive participation and indigenous knowledge, this initiative will make the Ubari Lakes Basin a national learning site for nature-based solutions in arid environments."

...(LANA)...