As part of the ongoing cooperation between ALECSO and international and regional organizations in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, ALECSO’s Department of Science and Scientific Research organized a Webinar, on February 16, 2026, in partnership with UNESCO Beirut Office, the Association for Community and Environment (ACE), and the European Union.  The event was held under the theme of : “Strengthening Arab Capacities in the Protection of Natural World Heritage and the Establishment and Development of Biosphere Reserves and Geoparks”.

The Webinar was designed to enhance Arab capacities and broaden perspectives on biosphere reserves and Geoparks, while highlighting the most promising initiatives in the Arab region through the presentation of experiences, analysis of challenges, and exploration of future prospects. It also sought to :

• Promote the sharing of expertise and best practices in geological heritage conservation and sustainable development;
• Discuss the challenges facing Geoparks initiatives and their implementation mechanisms;
• Discuss future visions and prospects for further development.

Prominent experts in biosphere reserves and Geoparks enriched the Webinar with their contributions. Representing Arab and international organizations and institutions, they offered diverse insights and experiences reflecting the current status of these initiatives and their development prospects.

The Webinar was attended by over 70 participants from the Arab region and beyond, specializing in environmental sciences, geology, botany, and water and soil sciences. This broad participation added a rich scientific and practical dimension to the discussions, fostering knowledge exchange and integrated efforts.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Mohammed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of Science and Scientific Research, conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of ALECSO, to all participants. He expressed ALECSO’s appreciation for the outstanding quality of participation, with the presence of prominent experts and specialists from various Arab countries and international partners. He reaffirmed ALECSO’s firm commitment to strengthening cooperation and coordination with UNESCO and other relevant international and regional organizations, emphasizing the importance of pooling efforts and sharing expertise to support sustainable scientific policies. Such cooperation, he added, constitutes a fundamental pillar for developing programs and initiatives aimed at safeguarding natural heritage and building national capacities in environmental and geological sciences; thereby serving shared goals and reinforcing joint Arab and international action within a comprehensive and sustainable development vision.

In the same context, Dr. Abu Darwish announced that the Department of Science and Scientific Research  is planning to organize, later this year, a capacity-building event on the protection of natural world heritage and the establishment and development of biosphere reserves and Geoparks, in collaboration with the Center of Research in Environmental Science & Technology (CREST) at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in the Sultanate of Oman. This event is designed to  support  Arab efforts to safeguard natural heritage and promote the sustainable management of sites of environmental and geological value.

The Webinar also saw the participation of several ALECSO-affiliated Chairs concerned with environmental sciences, represented on behalf of ALECSO by Mr. Amine Dahmani from the Secretariat of the Executive Board and General Conference.

In his remarks, Mr. Dahmani expressed ALECSO’s pride in the significant scientific role played by these Chairs in supporting specialized scientific research and placing it at the service of sustainable development and natural heritage conservation. He stressed the need for closer integration between scientific Chairs and regional initiatives related to biosphere reserves and Geoparks, which will contribute to sustainable national capacity-building and the sharing of knowledge and expertise at the Arab and international levels.