The Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) released the final report of the consultative phase of the Libyan National Conference Process (NCP) today.
The document summarises the findings of the 77 public consultations carried out over a period of four months in 2018 with more than 7,000 Libyans across the country and abroad on the future of their nation.
Final NCP report in English
Final NCP report in Arabic
The report highlights areas of consensus and national priority as well as the main cleavages in the country and potential areas for compromise. It will form the foundation of the final National Conference event to be organised in early 2019.
The document addresses key issues such as the unification of Libyan institutions and of the military and security apparatus; the fair distribution of Libya’s national resources; the structure of government and questions of decentralisation; as well as the next steps for the electoral and constitutional processes.
It encompasses the opinions and views of the Libyan people and provides recommendations on the way forward for Libya.
The NCP, launched in early April 2018, represents an integral part of the United Nations’ (UN) Action Plan for Libya.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), Ghassan Salamé, heralded the report, saying that “the principles it outlines can be the building blocks of a national deal to help bring Libya out of its current crisis”.
In his speech to the United Nations Security Council on 8 November, he added that the final session of the National Conference will “build on and develop the contributions of the thousands of Libyans who participated in the 77 preparatory meetings held throughout the country and abroad”.
The public consultations took place peacefully with Libyans from all parts of society between April and July 2018 in over 40 locations across Libya, as well as with diaspora groups living abroad.
More than 7,000 Libyans contributed their views during these meetings or through an online survey, making the NCP the first truly inclusive and national dialogue process to have taken place in Libya since 2011.
The process also allowed groups hitherto excluded from discussions about their nation’s future and efforts to resolve the crisis, to share their views.
“This report is the result of dedication and strong public engagement from Libyans from all parts of society. We have tried to be loyal to their contributions, deserving of their trust, and faithful to their vision for their nation,” said David Harland, HD’s Executive Director.
HD was mandated by SRSG Salamé in early 2018 to carry out the country-wide consultation process. Its work on the NCP was also made possible thanks to the support of the European Union (EU) and Germany.
Ambassador Alan Bugeja, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Libya, said: ”We are inspired by the thousands of Libyans who took part in this process. Their voices must be heard to complete the Libyan transition through democratic elections and towards an inclusive political system. The European Union is proud to have made possible this unprecedented opportunity for Libyan people to exercise their citizenship.”
He also looked forward to “all member states and the broader international community referring to the report in their further support of Libya” and stressed that “the EU will remain a major partner to the Libyan people in their quest to build a more stable and prosperous future”.