Dr. Nidal Al-Aouran, Commissioner for Environmental Affairs and Public Safety at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships with international organizations and development institutions in solid waste management and benefiting from international expertise and experience to advance environmental work in Aqaba.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking during the 2026 Aqaba Beach Cleanup Campaign, held for the second consecutive year under the slogan “The Wave Continues,” Al-Aouran said the authority is working with its partners to plan and develop proposals for the coming period, with a focus on solid waste management as one of the key areas of environmental work.
He added that environmental campaigns are also part of the national campaign to reduce the practice of indiscriminate waste disposal and promote sound environmental practices.
Paolo Zingali, representative of the European Union’s Director for Cooperation, said the partnership with the government, local authorities, organizations and relevant institutions contributes to protecting the marine environment in Aqaba and surrounding areas.
He added that the project seeks to establish a practical link between waste management and the circular economy through cooperation with several partners, including Oxfam, the European Union’s Interreg NEXT MED regional cooperation program, ASEZA, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Dimitri Medlev, director of Oxfam in Jordan, said protecting Aqaba’s marine environment requires continuity, effective partnerships, and genuine community participation.
He added that the “The Wave Continues” campaign aims to turn environmental awareness into tangible action and strengthen cooperation between partners and local communities, contributing to more responsible waste management practices and the preservation of the marine environment.
Dr. Essmat Karadsheh, coordinator of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Office at Interreg NEXT MED, said the program supports sustainable development through cross-border cooperation and strengthens communities’ ability to address shared environmental challenges and preserve natural resources.
He explained that the program currently supports 59 projects worth €120 million, bringing together around 500 organizations, including universities, research centers, nongovernmental organizations, companies, and public administrations. The aim is to develop innovative solutions that can be tested, shared, and scaled up across the region.
Karadsheh noted that the Aqaba Beach Cleanup Campaign represents a local application of this approach by bringing together institutions, communities, and young people to address marine waste and promote the sustainable use of resources, while enabling the exchange of expertise and solutions between Red Sea and Mediterranean communities.
Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Abu Al-Hassan said the program’s participation in the campaign reflects its commitment to turning the concept of the circular economy into practical applications.
She added that, through the 9Rs principles and the establishment of the Creative Circular Economy Center, funded by the European Union, the program supports a sustainable economic model that creates green jobs and preserves Aqaba’s natural resources.
For the second consecutive year, Aqaba hosted the 2026 Aqaba Beach Cleanup Campaign, with the participation of representatives from Jordanian government agencies, the European Union, and international organizations, as well as students, volunteers, and members of the local community. The campaign aimed to raise environmental awareness and encourage community participation in protecting the marine environment of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The campaign was organized by Oxfam in Jordan under the project “Providing Solid Waste Management Services in Zaatari and Azraq Refugee Camps and Surrounding Host Communities,” funded by the European Union, with the participation of the European regional cooperation program Interreg NEXT MED as part of Interreg Cooperation Day.
The campaign was carried out in cooperation with ASEZA, the Aqaba Marine Reserve, the Aqaba Directorate of Education, and UNDP Jordan.
The activities included an awareness session conducted by UNDP on plastic pollution and the environmental impact of cigarette butts, as well as video screenings documenting previous seabed cleanup campaigns. The sessions also introduced participants to how such campaigns are implemented and the efforts made to address marine waste through the Blue Team initiative.
The campaign also included planting 30 trees, distributing gardening tools, and installing 12 waste containers at the targeted locations. Participants also took part in an activity titled “Draw Your Project Idea,” which gave them an opportunity to propose innovative ideas and solutions to reduce the environmental impact of cigarette butts.
The campaign combined environmental awareness, volunteer work, beach and seabed cleanup, tree planting, and the development of environmental ideas and solutions, allowing participants to contribute directly to protecting the marine environment and promoting responsible practices toward Aqaba’s natural resources.
The slogan “The Wave Continues” highlights the importance of maintaining environmental action rather than limiting it to a single event, by continuing community participation and turning environmental awareness into daily practices that contribute to preserving the marine environment.
The campaign saw the participation of several schools, students, civil society organizations, local associations, volunteers, and members of the local community. Support was also provided by the naval force, Royal Boats, and the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate, including its diving teams, in carrying out and organizing marine activities, contributing to the safe and orderly implementation of the events.
Resource: Al-Ghad. Reporting: Ahmed Al-Rawashdeh
