Dr. Fadi Comair, Senior Executive Advisor to the President for Strategic Sustainability and Global Development at the University of Balamand (UOB), was recently featured in an article in L'Orient-Le Jour exploring the role of hydrodiplomacy in addressing climate challenges and fostering sustainable peace across the Middle East.

Reflecting on more than three decades of leadership in water governance, regional cooperation, and sustainable development, Dr. Comair emphasizes how science-based diplomacy can transform shared water resources from potential sources of conflict into opportunities for dialogue, resilience, and long-term prosperity.

The article reflects a vision that closely aligns with UOB's growing commitment to climate action, sustainability, and international cooperation. As climate change continues to place unprecedented pressure on water resources, food security, and local communities throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, UOB has emerged as a regional platform for research, dialogue, and capacity building.

It also highlights the UOB’s efforts to address the impacts of climate change through research, collaboration, and capacity-building initiatives. Among them is the ECOMED Academy, established through a resolution adopted under the Lebanese Presidency of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP). Led by The Cyprus Institute and co-hosted by the University of Balamand, the Academy seeks to strengthen the capacity of municipalities and local communities to manage climate-related risks and extreme events.

Building on this achievement, the University of Balamand has launched the Climate Alliance, bringing together countries of the Southeastern Mediterranean under the ECOMED framework. The University has also established the Climate Diplomacy and Sustainable Peace Hub (UOB-CDSP Hub), a platform dedicated to connecting scientific research with international dialogue and policymaking.

Dr. Comair also emphasizes on the importance of the Litani River, which he describes as a national treasure and a cornerstone of Lebanon's development. Drawing on his experience as President of the National Litani Authority, he recounts his role in advancing major hydro-agricultural projects and securing international recognition of the Litani as an exclusively Lebanese watercourse—an achievement that reinforced the country's water sovereignty and supported long-term development planning.

The UOB's contributions to climate diplomacy have also gained international recognition. During the Climate Change Conference organized by The Cyprus Institute in April 2026 under the Presidency of the European Union, the Nicosia Declaration highlighted the importance of science diplomacy in addressing regional challenges and acknowledged initiatives advanced by the University of Balamand as examples of effective cooperation between science, policy, and diplomacy.

Through his article, Dr. Comair highlights the vital role that science, cooperation, and sustainable resource management can play in addressing the challenges facing the region. His perspective reflects the UOB’s commitment to promoting knowledge, encouraging meaningful dialogue, and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient future for Lebanon and the wider Mediterranean region. ​