The Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, Raúl Compés López, has recently returned from a successful mission to Lebanon, where he completed a full agenda with technical visits, a visit to the embassy, the signing of an agreement, and high-level political meetings. His visit also provided a valuable opportunity to engage with the vibrant community of CIHEAM alumni in the region at a special event in Beirut.
Technical mission to rural Lebanon
On Monday 22 September, the director visited the Jezzine area, considered the north of southern Lebanon, to seek opportunities for collaboration in the field of development cooperation projects. Accompanied by Mr. Elie Fares, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture's centre in the area, he met with the people in charge of OLia Cooperative, J-Grove, B-Baladi Cooperative, Jezzine Apple Cooperative, Agrofit, and Jaram Wines. In all these meetings, they discussed the problems that hinder the companies' growth and sustainability.
Meeting at the Spanish Embassy
On Tuesday 23 September the director was welcomed at the Spanish Embassy in Lebanon by Ambassador Jesús Ignacio Santos Aguado, and by the Head of Consular, Administrative, Cultural, and Scientific Affairs, Gonzalo Javier Moro Aguilar.
During the meeting, the director outlined the activities carried out by CIHEAM Zaragoza and highlighted the participation of Lebanese students, professors, and experts. Ways to increase this participation were also discussed.
Signing of an MoU with the Lebanese University
Director Compés also signed an MoU with the President of the Lebanese University, Professor Bassam Badran. This MoU marks the beginning of a formal relationship between the two entities, starting with an Erasmus+ mobility project involving entities from other countries in the region are also participating.
High-level meeting with the Lebanese government
Nawaf Salam, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, welcomed Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani, accompanied by a distinguished CIHEAM delegation. The delegation brought together key figures from across the CIHEAM network, including Teodoro Miano, Secretary General of CIHEAM; Frida Krifca, President of CIHEAM Governing Board; Wafaa Dikah, Vice-President of CIHEAM Governing Board; and Maurizio Raeli, Italian Delegate to CIHEAM. The directors of three CIHEAM institutes were also present: Biagio Di Terlizzi from CIHEAM Bari, Thierry Dupeuble from CIHEAM Montpellier, and Raúl Compés López from CIHEAM Zaragoza.
During this significant meeting, CIHEAM presented its broad range of activities across the Mediterranean region, with particular emphasis on agricultural innovation, rural development, and strengthening partnerships in the agricultural sector. This high-level encounter took place on the eve of the first Lebanese CIHEAM meeting, marking a crucial milestone for regional cooperation.
Landmark alumni gathering in Beirut
On 24 September, the Ministry of Agriculture and CIHEAM co-organised a landmark event in Beirut that brought together more than 100 Lebanese alumni of CIHEAM Institutes. The seminar, which attracted a packed audience, highlighted how youth, skills, and innovation serve as key drivers for transforming the agrifood sector.
Through dynamic roundtables, participants explored the vital connections between education, employment, research, and responsible entrepreneurship to develop sustainable solutions for the future of Mediterranean food systems. The event demonstrated the ongoing commitment of CIHEAM alumni to advancing agrifood transformation in Lebanon and beyond.
High-level participation and strategic vision
The seminar brought together distinguished guests including H.E. Kamal Shehadi, Minister of Technological Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, alongside representatives from Lebanese universities, research centres, the private sector, financial institutions, and diplomats from CIHEAM member countries. Representatives from the French Embassy and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) also participated.
In his opening address, Minister Nizar Hani emphasised that "Lebanese agriculture is more than a simple economic sector: it is the beating heart of our rural areas, the anchor that keeps families on their land and the bulwark that protects our food sovereignty". He added: "The future of agriculture and food systems belongs to young people: they are not only tomorrow's leaders; they are already today's innovators".
Frida Krifca, president of CIHEAM's Governing Board, stated: "Lebanese agriculture will depend on our capacity to link education with professions, connect research with markets and equip young people with the tools of innovation—a responsibility shared between government and the private sector, universities and agricultural organisations, local communities and international partners".
Four dynamic panels address key challenges
The seminar was structured around four thematic roundtables, each addressing critical aspects of Lebanon's agrifood transformation:
Panel 1 ‘Education and Training for Future Agri-Food Jobs was moderated by CIHEAM Secretary-General Teodoro Miano, and tackled the alignment between training programmes and labour market needs. Participants identified critical gaps in specialised technical skills, transversal competencies, and connections between academic curricula and employer requirements. The discussion emphasised the need to strengthen alliances between universities, technical training centres and the private sector, promoting dual training programmes and international exchanges.
Panel 2 ‘Innovation, AI and Entrepreneurship’ moderated by the Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, Raúl Compés, explored how technological innovation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence can drive youth entrepreneurship. Success stories from start-ups and cooperatives demonstrated young people's capacity to transform the sector through precision agriculture, online marketing and smart resource management. Wafaa El Dikah Hamzé, Senior Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Vice-President of CIHEAM, shared an inspiring example: "I recently spoke with a young female farmer from the Bekaa Valley, who stated proudly: 'My greenhouse is my office, my phone is my extension service, and my drone is my new scarecrow'. This combination of creativity, smart technologies and resilience is exactly what our sector needs to shape the future of food systems". Key topics included digital literacy, entrepreneurship ecosystems, access to capital, and the importance of strategic alliances between academia, the private sector, and governments.
Panel 3 ‘Research and Innovation for Sustainable and Climate-Resilient Agriculture’ moderated by the Director of CIHEAM Montpellier, Thierry Dupeuble, focused on aligning research priorities with Lebanon's main challenges: climate change, water scarcity, food security, and the transition towards agroecological models. Speakers highlighted the need to transfer research into practical solutions, strengthen international cooperation, and create innovation ecosystems linking universities, research centres, and rural communities.
Panel 4 ‘The Voice of Alumni’ moderated by the Director of CIHEAM Bari, Biagio di Terlizzi, gave the floor to Lebanese CIHEAM alumni who shared their professional trajectories spanning research, public management, entrepreneurship and international cooperation. Alumni emphasised the transformative impact of CIHEAM training, the importance of mentoring new generations, and their commitment to contributing to national initiatives. The panel concluded with a call to establish a formal Lebanese CIHEAM Alumni Network as a sustainable platform for long-term collaboration. CIHEAM Secretary-General Teodoro Miano highlighted: "Let us take further the collaboration and innovation generated here, so that each CIHEAM Alumnus becomes a catalyst for positive change and guarantor of a resilient and secure future for Lebanon. Our motto should be: CIHEAM Alumni United: Sowing the Seeds of Change".
Field visit to Shouf biosphere reserve
On 25 September 2025, CIHEAM Lebanese alumni participated in an enriching field visit to the Shouf Biosphere Reserve (El Shouf Cedars Reserve), under the patronage of H.E. Dr Nizar Hani, Minister of Agriculture of Lebanon. As part of the programme "Investing in Youth for Sustainable Agrifood Systems: Linking Education to Job Opportunities and Sector Priorities", the visit emphasised the crucial role of youth in driving sustainability and innovation within the agrifood sector. The day's programme included a visit to the composting unit, a guided forest walk through the Shouf Cedars Reserve, and a cultural tour of Beiteddine Palace.
A comprehensive experience
The visit to the Shouf Biosphere Reserve offered participants direct contact with environmental conservation and sustainable resource management practices. At the reserve's headquarters, an institutional video presented conservation, forest restoration and community development programmes. The composting unit demonstrated an innovative example of circular economy, transforming organic waste into natural fertilisers for rural communities.
During the guided forest walk, specialists explained the area's biodiversity, sustainable forest management challenges, and the importance of the cedar ecosystem as both a national symbol and strategic environmental resource. The visit illustrated the positive impact of conservation programmes on ecological equilibrium and climate resilience.
The afternoon visit to the beautiful 19th-century Beiteddine Palace allowed participants to appreciate Lebanon's historical and cultural wealth while reflecting on the relationship between cultural heritage, national identity and territorial development.
This inspiring opportunity allowed participants to strengthen alumni connections whilst exploring Lebanon's remarkable natural and cultural heritage, reinforcing CIHEAM's commitment to fostering sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.
The mission underscores CIHEAM Zaragoza's dedication to building stronger partnerships across the Mediterranean and supporting the next generation of professionals in creating sustainable agrifood systems for the future. The events in Lebanon represent a milestone in strengthening CIHEAM's relationship with the country through its alumni network, confirming the relevance of youth as agents of change in the transition towards more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.