Miqati Co-Chairs Third 3RF Consultative Group Meeting

The Consultative Group (CG) of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) has held its third meeting at the Grand Serail, co-chaired by Prime Minister Najib Miqati, Lebanese civil society, European Union (EU) and United Nations.

The 3RF Consultative Group members discussed progress achieved so far and next steps in four main sectors: the anti-corruption sector; the Build Beirut Businesses Back Better (B5) program; the social protection sector; and the housing sector.

The CG welcomed the formation of the new government and called for concrete reforms, and for justice and accountability through a transparent, independent and credible investigation into the Beirut port explosion, the co-chairs said in a statement.

"Potential benefits from the IMF Special Drawing Rights should be maximized," the co-chairs said.

The group also reiterated the call for free and fair elections, to be held according to the electoral calendar provided by law and ensuring full representation and participation of women in the democratic process and in government.

The CG called for donors to contribute to the 3RF, the statement said, adding that "civil society was first to respond after the blast and continues to support those worst affected, though uneven attention is given to poor neighborhoods."

"There is a need for a housing recovery strategy and action plan, linking housing to wider urban recovery while remaining sensitive to heritage, cultural life and the environment," the co-chairs said.

The co-chairs said that in-kind assistance was provided to more than 300,000 families nation-wide affected by the economic crisis and that some 20,000 disabled beneficiaries will soon receive social grants.

The CG reiterated the call for a transparent 2022 budget with strong funding for social protection and welcomed Miqati’s decision to form a ministerial committee on Social Protection and a technical committee to work on the national Social Protection strategy.