NNA - On March 14, 2022, the Ambassador of Japan to Lebanon, H.E Mr. Takeshi Okubo attended the completion ceremony of a project that saw the deployment of solar panels made in Japan in 122 public schools all across Lebanon, funded by a grant from Japan and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education. The ceremony took place in the Islah Second Mixed Public School in Saida, and was attended by H.E. Mr.  Abbas Al-Halabi, the Minister of Education and Higher Education, and Mr. Imad Al-Achkar, the Director General of Education, in the presence of senior officials from the Ministry.  

This solar power project aims at supporting the targeted schools in reducing their electricity consumption bill to lower their overall expenses, in particular amid a notable increase in fuel prices, and an ongoing high demand for education, due to the influx of refugees, following which Lebanese public schools welcomed Syrian children with open doors.

In his speech Ambassador Okubo affirmed Japan’s keenness to light up Lebanon’s education sector, and to enhance the schools’ learning environment in order to encourage students to maximize their potential, and succeed in any path they choose.

The Ambassador also highlighted the importance of renewable energy in reducing Lebanon’s high dependency on fuels, ensuring a steady energy production, and safeguarding the environment, thus contributing to the country’s long-term recovery. He also called on Lebanese officials to place renewable energy at the core of a comprehensive national strategy to tackle energy challenges, expressing Japan’s readiness to support initiatives that push in this direction.

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