The city of Zahle has proudly joined the Zero Waste City Initiative under the Basel Convention, supported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). This initiative, focused on sustainable waste management, aims to combat waste pollution through comprehensive and environmentally friendly measures.
The Mayor of Zahle, Assaad Zgheib, formalized the city’s participation by signing the application under the guidance of the initiative’s coordinator, Ms. Rima Saade Turk. This step marks a significant commitment to improving waste management and environmental health in the region.
In recognition of the International Day of Zero Waste, Ms. Turk delivered an insightful PowerPoint presentation via Zoom during a global meeting. The presentation, which covered Zahle’s solid waste management project, received positive feedback from participants.
Ms. Turk, representing Mayor Zgheib, also attended the 19th International Conference on Waste Management and Technology (ICWMT 19) held in Hangzhou, China, from May 18
to 21, 2024. The conference, organized by the Basel Convention Regional Centers (BCRC) in Egypt and China, centered on the theme “Achieving synergy in reducing pollution and carbon emissions while jointly building waste-free cities.” The event attracted approximately 1,000 participants, including over 300 distinguished experts, 250 company representatives, and 50 exhibitors, and featured more than 50 parallel breakout sessions.
During the conference, Ms. Turk provided an in-depth presentation on Zahle’s municipal activities, with a particular focus on the city’s solid waste management initiatives. In a private meeting with the conference chairman, Prof. Jinhui Li, and BCRC-Egypt Regional Director, Prof. Mostafa Ahmed, Ms. Turk expressed her gratitude for Zahle’s inclusion in the Zero Waste Cities initiative. She presented a bouquet of paintings depicting Zahle’s landmarks, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation on environmental projects to benefit the city and its residents’ health.
This intern
ational recognition and involvement highlight Zahle’s commitment to sustainable development and its proactive approach to environmental preservation.
Source: National news agency – Lebanon