Under the patronage of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform Dr. Inaya Ezzeddine, the “Women Association of Deir el Ahmar (WADA)” in collaboration with the municipal council, held the closure event of “Women and youth active members in the field of rural tourism for sustainable development in Deir el Ahmar and lebanese rural areas” project, in the framework of Afkar 3 program funded by the European Union and managed by the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform. The ceremony was attended by AFKAR program manager, Mrs. Youmna Chacar Ghorayeb,  representing the Minister Inaya Ezzeddine, Baalbek maronite parish pastor, Bishop Hanna Rahmeh, the coordinator of the lebanese forces party in the North Bekaa, Mr. George Khashan representing the deputy Antoine Habchi, the union of municipalities president of Deir el Ahmar, Mr. Jean Fakhri, as well as heads of municipalities, mayors and social figures.

Mrs. Ghorayeb emphasized Minister Ezzeddine’s support to all the initiatives aiming to promote sustainable development in the Lebanese regions, in line with the 17 United Nations Development Goals. She noted that the Ministry of State for Administrative Reform supported, through AFKAR program, the civil society initiatives not only financially but also technically. She stressed the need for the local authority to adopt the projects, in order to ensure the sustainability.

WADA president, Mrs. Dunia Baroud Khoury, highlighted the importance of building alliances at local, national, regional and international levels, as well as between government institutions, civil society organizations, the media and the private sector. She thanked the European Union for funding and the Office of the Minister of State for Administrative Reform team for their management, follow up and support in order to reach the success. She added: "We must make great efforts to preserve our local environment in order to create job opportunities for the local population, to prevent rural displacement and migration" .

At the end, the participants visited an exhibition of local and agricultural products of Deir el Ahmar region. The project’s achievements were also presented, including the bungalows established during the project to promote rural tourism. ِAs well, a cedar was planted in memory of this occasion.