Libya is a land of vast opportunity, along its coast, across its deserts, and within the ideas of its people. Over the past quarter, the path toward a more resilient and sustainable Libya became clearer as government institutions, civil society, the private sector and international partners came together to design solutions that work for both people and the planet.

At the center of this progress is Libya’s emerging Blue Economy agenda, a transformative effort to unlock the country’s coastal and marine resources in a way that creates jobs, strengthens food systems, and protects the environment. In partnership with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, the Ministry of Marine Wealth, the Blue Economy Committee and a few other government institutions, and with support from UNDP, the country’s first-ever National Blue Economy Strategy is now under development. The strategy builds on Libya’s unique geography and regional partnerships to reimagine how fisheries, aquaculture, eco-tourism, marine conservation, and sustainable shipping can contribute to inclusive economic growth.

For a country with nearly 1,800 kilometres of coastline, the Blue Economy is more than a sector; it’s a pathway to inclusive growth and environmental resilience.

But sustainability does not begin or end at the shoreline. This quarter also marked important steps forward in climate and environmental governance. In a country where 95% of the land is desert and water stress continues to grow, UNDP worked closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Committee to Combat Desertification to finalize Libya’s first National Drought Management Strategy. This strategy offers a practical roadmap to safeguard land, water, and livelihoods in the face of climate change, and a national commitment to turning vulnerability into resilience. 

Energy, too, is undergoing a transformation. At the Just and Sustainable Energy Transition Conference, hosted with the Ministry of Oil and Gas and the European Union, Libyan institutions, young innovators, and international experts explored people-centred approaches to energy planning and low-carbon development. The discussions, and the innovative Energy Expo by the Jeel Ambassadors, that accompanied them, reinforced that energy transition must be just, inclusive, and grounded in national leadership. It also highlighted the need to safeguard and integrate Business and Human Rights principles, ensuring responsible investment, decent jobs, and environmental safeguards.  

That vision came into further focus with the launch of Libya’s first Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS). Developed with the Ministry of Planning and the National Center for Standardization and Metrology, this initiative introduces a labelling and standards system that will improve energy efficiency, reduce consumption, and support climate-aligned market transformation. A digital dashboard was also introduced to track implementation and support evidence-based policymaking. 

Together, these milestones reflect something deeper: a shift in how Libya approaches sustainability, not as a siloed policy objective, but as a cross-cutting development priority. From marine ecosystems to household appliances, from water tables to wind potential, we are seeing Libyan institutions step forward with a commitment to shared action. 

As UNDP, we are proud to support this shift. Our role is not to lead but to enable, to help bring people to the table, build capacity where needed, and ensure that national strategies are technically sound, grounded in real needs and real opportunities. 

We extend our sincere gratitude to the European Union, our main funder and strategic partner in UNDP’s climate and energy-related initiatives, many of which are now reaching their conclusion. We also thank the Government of Libya, Italy, Korea, FAO, AfDB, and other valued partners for their continued support and belief in Libya’s capacity to drive forward a green and blue transition.