B. Sc. Analytical Chemistry; Postgraduate Studies in organic chemistry/medicinal and aromatic plants analysis,BAU – 2003; diploma in Environmental Management, MAASTRICHT School of Management – 2010; ASHOKA Fellow: nominated and selected as a social and environmental entrepreneur Switcher, selected by Switch Med Connect initiative – 2015; Founder and Chairman of Green Hand Organization – 1999 to date. GHO works on conservation of biodiversity with a focus on flora while engaging the local communities, towards establishing the first Botanical Garden for native taxa. Zaher founded and took the lead position in the Coalition of Tobacco Control in Lebanon among 20 different foundations and NGOs to pass the TC-Law. Executive management of the Syndicate of Lebanese Craftsmen. Moreover, to actively participate in re-launching of the IUCN Lebanon Committee and reviving the IUCN ROWA Regional Committee, and is actively the Chair of the IUCN National Committee. Zaher is the brain and moving force behind many successful environmental initiatives/programs with considerable community engagement. Achieving patent for the innovative project "mobile Green Hand Botanical Garden", and working with the Ministry of Environment in Lebanon to introduce an open category to officially register various types of reserves as micro reserves and urban reserves.
Zaher is very active on the national, regional and international levels with many environmental organizations, affiliating GHO with international organizations like IUCN, WHO, WSO, UNDP, AMIDEAST, FCA, the Union for TB and lung diseases on different programs and projects, leading GHO to playing an active member role in IUCN, APGA, AFED, FCA, BGCI, ERA, NCD Global Alliance. Succeeded in negotiating and signing the first and only agreement between the Ministry of Environment and an NGO, adopting the objectives of GHO Biodiversity Commission. Currently, in the final stages of finalizing a similar agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture. Chair of the IUCN National Committee for the year 2014/2019, during which negotiations with the Ministry of Environment lead to reactivate their State Membership at IUCN. Also, processing the registration of the IUCN National Committee locally as an official entity with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Built up a solid communication channel with IUCN ROWA office.
