Ministry of Interior and Municipalities and UNICEF Launch National Initiative on Child-Sensitive Governance

Beirut, 26 November 2025 –Ministry of Interior and Municipalities in partnership with UNICEF, today launched the national initiative “Engaging Local Governments on Child-Sensitive Governance,” marking the beginning of a national engagement journey with municipalities, beginning with Beirut and Mount Lebanon, and expanding progressively across all eight governorates.

Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Ahmad Hajjar, said: "This occasion coincides with World Children’s Day, celebrated every year on November 20, giving our gathering special significance. On this occasion, we reaffirm, as the Ministry of Interior and Municipalities, our firm conviction and commitment to supporting policies and initiatives that advance the rights and well-being of children." He added: "Municipalities represent the first line of contact between the state and its citizens. They are called upon to place the aspirations of young people and the needs of children at the heart of their decisions, to listen to their views, and to engage them in municipal work and decision-making—ensuring that they play a central role in shaping public policies and recognizing the rising generation as a fundamental driver of change in the nation-building process."

This project complements existing local efforts with clearer processes, stronger data, and practical tools that support municipalities in delivering better outcomes for all children, especially the most vulnerable.

“Lebanon’s municipalities are the closest and most immediate level of governance to every child. You are the first responders to their needs, the custodians of the neighbourhoods where they learn, play, and grow, and the public officials who shape their daily reality.” Said Marcoluigi Corsi, UNICEF Representative in Lebanon “Around the world, UNICEF has seen one consistent truth: when local governments put children at the centre of their decisions, child wellbeing improves faster, and systems become more resilient. Lebanon is no exception.”

During the event, a UNICEF Local Governance Strategy was introduced, outlining 33 cross-sectoral priorities for the next five years, fully aligned with national priorities and government leadership. A practical “Child-Sensitive Governance and Budgeting booklet” was also launched, developed with UNICEF partners “The Policy Initiative” (TPI) and Bassel Fuleihan Institute of Finance (IOF), to provide hands-on guidance for municipalities. Together, these tools aim to strengthen local capacities and support more effective, child-responsive governance.