A “Lebanon 2045” Initiative to Lay the Groundwork for Peace with the Diaspora

Lebanon is going through one of the most trying periods in its history. Security tensions, weapons beyond state control, a foreign military presence, and the fallout from the economic and financial collapse are hampering recovery. No one can envisage lasting reconstruction without sovereignty, security, and institutions capable of fulfilling their responsibilities. But must we wait until all these crises are resolved before preparing for the future? Certainly not.

Peace must not find us without a plan. The world is undergoing profound upheaval. Our traditional friends, particularly the Gulf countries, with which we share historic and fraternal ties, must also contend with challenges of their own.

Lebanon therefore cannot build its future simply by waiting for outside assistance. It must first rely on its own resources, expertise, and the immense potential of its diaspora. This in no way means turning away from our Arab and international partners, but we must offer them credible institutions and projects capable of attracting investment.

External aid must support recovery, not take its place.

From “Yes We Can” to “Lebanon Vision 2045”…

This conviction inspired the international Yes We Can conferences, held for three consecutive years at Beirut Arab University in Tripoli, at the initiative of HALFA—Lebanese Businessmen in France—in collaboration with academic and business partners.

The third conference, held on May 26 and 27, 2025, under the patronage of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who was represented at the opening by Education Minister Rima Karami, brought together several government ministers, academics, entrepreneurs, and representatives of the diaspora.

Discussions focused in particular on four strategic infrastructure assets in northern Lebanon: the Port of Tripoli; the Rachid Karami International Fair; the Tripoli Special Economic Zone; and René Moawad Airport in Qlayaat.

In the weeks that followed, the government made progress on several fronts, notably Qlayaat Airport and the appointment of a new board of directors for the Rachid Karami Fair. These decisions naturally resulted from combined efforts and cannot be attributed to a single conference. They nevertheless illustrate the importance of dialogue among public officials, the business community, academics, and the diaspora.

It is this culture of listening, decision-making, and delivering results that Lebanon must foster across the country. Among the speakers was Dr. Kamil Jbeily, whose ideas helped shape a broader national ambition. Building on these gatherings, the “Lebanon Vision 2045” initiative emerged under his leadership, with the participation of Lebanese people from different communities and the diaspora. This approach rests on a fundamental conviction: capital alone will not rebuild Lebanon. The country must also restore trust, ethics in public life, a sense of citizenship, and individual responsibility.

Dr. Jbeily’s vision places competent, principled, constructive, and committed citizens at the heart of recovery—citizens whose first loyalty is to Lebanon, above partisan and sectarian divisions. Renewing civic values is just as essential as rebuilding institutions.

From vision to action

This long-term ambition could be complemented by a short-term economic and financial roadmap, drawn up now with measurable goals, identified sources of funding, and clear deadlines. Three priorities could provide its framework.

First, restore the credibility of the state. National policy is the responsibility of political leaders, but project implementation must be entrusted to qualified professionals, shielded from partisan interference and held accountable for results. An independent authority for reconstruction and economic development could be considered, with a clear mandate and rigorous oversight mechanisms.

Second, rebuild the banking system and restore depositors’ confidence. The respective financial responsibilities of the state, the Banque du Liban and commercial banks must be established, particularly in light of Article 113 of the Code of Money and Credit. A credible, fully funded timetable for returning deposits must then be set. Banking restructuring cannot rest on legislation alone. It requires an answer to a fundamental question: where will the necessary money come from?

Third, develop viable economic projects. Electricity, water, transport, agriculture, industry, vocational training and new technologies all require fully costed programs subject to oversight. The diaspora could contribute through investment, expertise and international networks. But reconstruction must go beyond infrastructure. It must also create jobs, support businesses, give young people reasons to stay and enable Lebanese people to live with dignity in their own country again. It must be a national endeavor, inclusive of all regions and communities, without being hijacked by partisan interests.

Refusing to Accept the Inevitable

Sovereignty and security remain essential to a lasting recovery. But nothing prevents us from preparing now the reforms, teams and projects that can be put into action when circumstances allow. We cannot decide on our own when peace will return. But we can decide what kind of Lebanon it will find when it does.

Our country has endured ordeals that could have broken many other nations. Yet it still has the women, men, skills and human resources needed to recover. As long as a people retains the will to live, work and rebuild, nothing is lost for good. Hope does not mean passively waiting for better days. It means laying the groundwork for their return, starting today. Let us rely first on ourselves. Let us marshal our strengths. Let us not waste years waiting for the future. Let us prepare for it.