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Beirut – February 10, 2025 - The UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director, H.E. Ambassador of Germany to Lebanon, the Governor of Beirut, KfW representatives, Head of Beirut Municipality and Beirut municipal council members joined a visit to Adlieh tunnel in Beirut.
Under the German Government-funded project that is enhancing the lighting and safety of Adlieh tunnel, UNOPS procured and installed a solar PV system in Adlieh tunnel to enhance accessibility, mobility and safety, especially during the night, and enhanced the safety measures within the tunnel through marking, asphalting, and installing signages and cateyes.
During the visit to Adlieh tunnel, the Ambassador of Germany to Lebanon, H.E Kurt Georg Stoeckl-Stillfried, said: “Traffic accidents and electricity cuts are major issues in Lebanon. Therefore, Germany with the support of its development bank KfW and UNOPS has supported the municipality of Beirut with the installation of a solar photo voltaic system to illuminate the Adlieh tunnel and to contribute in this way to more road safety and enhanced infrastructure in Lebanon.”
The UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director, Mr. Jorge Moreira da Silva, said: “UNOPS is committed to supporting Lebanon in its efforts to build a peaceful, inclusive and sustainable future. From strengthening health systems and providing reliable energy supply, to improving waste management, promoting a circular economy, and reducing pollution, we have supported development efforts in the country, together with our partners. In this crucial moment, we remain steadfast in our efforts to support the people of Lebanon to materialise their vision of a stable and thriving country.”
“We thank the German Government, the KfW Development Bank and UNOPS for standing by the municipality of Beirut. As more projects are under implementation, we will witness a positive change in Beirut in terms of development. In addition, the new equipment which will be provided to the municipality of Beirut will strengthen our capacities and enable us to carry out our duties.” said Judge Marwan Abboud, Governor of Beirut.
The “supply and installation of solar PV system for lighting and safety enhancement of the Adlieh tunnel” sub-project is one of 26 sub-projects that are being implemented in Beirut and Bourj Hammoud, under the Sustainable Integrated Municipal Actions (SIMA) project financed by the Government of Germany through KfW Development Bank and implemented by UNOPS.
SiMA is a multi- year project aimed at improving and restoring access to critical municipal services and increasing the resilience of the local community in and around Beirut and Bourj Hammoud municipalities affected by the Beirut port explosion.
The project is revitalizing eight green public spaces and three public service buildings; supplying and installing three centralized solar PV systems with over 2,000 kWp PhotoVoltaic capacities in public spaces, buildings and streets; rehabilitating and repairing 12 km of roads, including implementing traffic calming measures; installing solar street lights over 23 km of road; and rehabilitating and solarizing one water pumping and one boosting water stations and upgrading the water network by installing new water pipes over 18 kms.
In addition, SiMA is providing 13 grants to Non-Governmental Organizations to support the municipalities of Beirut and Bourj Hammoud in the operational management of the public spaces and organizing social activities. UNOPS is continuously conducting community engagement activities such as Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), surveys and community-based events reaching more than 1,300 women, men, girls and boys.
The visit to Adlieh tunnel is part of the UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director, Mr. Moreira da Silva's official visit to the Middle East. Mr. Silva will meet national authorities and development cooperation partners. He will discuss the practical solutions that UNOPS offers to support crisis response, early recovery and long-term reconstruction and development in Lebanon and Syria.
For Press Inquiries, please contact:
Anwar Abu Sakieneh, Communications Specialist (UNOPS)
Mobile number: +962 7 9902 6315
AnwarAB@unops.org or +962 6 5902122