Damascus, June 5 (SANA) Syria is continuing to implement national programs aimed at addressing environmental and climate challenges, strengthening the sustainable management of natural resources , and supporting long-term development, officials said on World Environment Day.
Speaking to SANA on Friday, Anas Al-Rahmoun, director of environmental awareness at the Ministry of Local Administration and Environment, said Syria faces a range of environmental challenges linked to climate change, including declining water resources, prolonged drought periods, ecosystem degradation and growing pressure on productive sectors that depend on natural resources, particularly agriculture.
Al-Rahmoun said these challenges have become a central focus of national environmental policies, with government institutions working to develop programs that enhance resilience to climate change and mitigate its economic and social impacts.
He said the ministry has placed climate adaptation and natural resource protection among its top priorities through specialized studies and projects aimed at integrating climate considerations into development planning in line with international sustainable development goals.
Assess Risks of Environmental Change
As part of efforts to strengthen the scientific basis of environmental policymaking, the ministry has launched a national climate risk assessment project in cooperation with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and a number of national institutions.
The study aims to identify major climate risks facing different sectors, assess their potential impacts and provide scientific foundations for national adaptation policies and environmental risk management strategies.
Access to International Climate Finance
Al-Rahmoun said the ministry is also working to improve institutional readiness to access international climate finance mechanisms, including the Green Climate Fund, the Adaptation Fund, the Global Environment Facility and the Loss and Damage Fund.
He noted that national projects have been aligned with international financing requirements to increase opportunities for securing technical and financial support for priority environmental initiatives in Syria.
National Priority Projects
Among the ministry’s key initiatives is a national priority projects program designed to identify and develop climate-related projects in sectors most vulnerable to environmental change.
According to Al-Rahmoun, the program was developed through a series of technical meetings and workshops involving government institutions, experts and stakeholders to establish intervention priorities based on national needs and international climate standards.
Waste Management
The ministry is also preparing a national strategy for solid waste management in cooperation with international partners, aiming to move from temporary solutions toward an integrated and sustainable system covering waste collection, sorting, treatment, safe disposal and recycling.
The strategy seeks to improve environmental and public health conditions, reduce the impact of uncontrolled dumping sites and strengthen the capacity of local authorities to manage sanitation and waste services.
Protecting Natural Resources
Al-Rahmoun said forest protection and the preservation of vegetation cover remain important components of environmental policy because of their role in protecting biodiversity, combating desertification and strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change.
He added that reforestation programs, environmental awareness campaigns and efforts to protect natural resources are being pursued in coordination with relevant institutions as part of broader sustainable development goals.
National Workshops
The ministry has also organized a series of national workshops and technical consultations involving government agencies, universities, scientific institutions, international organizations and environmental experts to support policy development and strengthen coordination on climate and environmental issues.
Environmental Awareness
Al-Rahmoun stressed that environmental awareness remains a shared responsibility and that the success of environmental policies depends not only on government action but also on active public participation.
He said awareness campaigns and educational programs targeting different age groups are being implemented to promote environmental responsibility, sustainable resource use and environmentally friendly practices.
World Environment Day, observed annually on June 5, serves as an opportunity to renew commitments to environmental protection and strengthen efforts to address climate challenges through effective policies, priority projects and expanded national and international cooperation.
MHD
