Energy Minister discusses structural reforms, governance challenges in Lebanon’s Energy and Water sectors
Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi participated in a dialogue session hosted by the Civic Influence Forum at its headquarters in downtown Beirut, bringing together academic, economic and administrative figures to discuss structural reforms and governance challenges in Lebanon’s energy and water sectors.
Opening the session, forum board member Engineer Elie Jebrayel stressed the importance of responsible dialogue between state institutions and civil society, describing energy and water sector reform as a fundamental test of the state’s ability to restore institutional effectiveness and accountability.
He emphasized that longstanding crises extend beyond technical and financial challenges to encompass governance, institutional independence, transparency and the protection of national resources.
Forum Executive Director Ziad El Sayegh raised questions about transitioning from crisis management to sustainable reform, strengthening regulatory independence, securing investments, expanding renewable energy and ensuring equitable access to services.
For his part, Saddi outlined the structural, financial and institutional challenges facing both sectors, presenting reform priorities aimed at improving governance, ensuring service sustainability and safeguarding national resources.
According to a statement issued by the forum, discussions addressed legislative and regulatory priorities, institutional restructuring, oversight mechanisms and the need to balance economic viability with social justice.
Participants emphasized the importance of replacing short-term responses with measurable, accountable public policies and integrating energy and water reforms into broader efforts to strengthen state institutions, reinforce national security and restore public confidence.
The session formed part of the forum’s specialized dialogue initiative aimed at promoting policy-based discussions, institutional accountability and constructive engagement between government and civil society.
