Canada invests JD 6 million to protect marine and terrestrial biodiversity in Aqaba
Al-Ghad
Aqaba — Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Board of Commissioners Shadi Ramzi Al-Majali discussed with Canadian Ambassador to Jordan Louis-Martin Aumais ways to strengthen cooperation in protecting marine and terrestrial biodiversity and supporting sustainable development in Aqaba through the “Enhancing Marine Biodiversity Resilience in Aqaba” (EmBRACE) project, funded by the Canadian government with an investment of JD 6 million.اضافة اعلان
Al-Majali stressed during the meeting, attended by Nidal Al-Oouran, the authority’s Commissioner for Environmental Affairs and Public Safety, and Sami Trabieh, Aqaba Projects Manager at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan, the importance of international partnerships in protecting natural resources and ensuring their sustainability. He also highlighted the need to link environmental conservation with economic opportunities in ways that support the blue economy and improve livelihoods for local communities.
He noted that biodiversity protection is a fundamental pillar of development in Aqaba, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Canadian government and UNDP to preserve the marine and coastal environment, restore ecosystems and strengthen their resilience to the effects of climate change.
For his part, Ambassador Aumais said Aqaba is an important economic driver for Jordan, particularly in regional development and tourism. He noted that the inclusion of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on UNESCO’s World Heritage List further underscores the importance of protecting its coastal resources and managing them sustainably.
He said Canada was proud to contribute to these efforts through an investment of JD 6 million to support terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Aqaba region, in partnership with UNDP, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and local partners and communities.
Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Abul-Hassan said the EmBRACE project adopts an integrated approach to biodiversity protection by linking marine and coastal ecosystems with Aqaba’s mountainous and desert environments, while addressing the factors contributing to environmental degradation.
She added that the project goes beyond protecting natural resources, helping create opportunities for sustainable development by encouraging innovation and strengthening the blue and circular economies. These efforts support inclusive growth and expand opportunities for women and young people.
During his visit to Aqaba, the Canadian ambassador learned about efforts to protect biodiversity. His visit included the Aqaba Authority’s nursery, the bird observatory and the Aqaba Marine Reserve, where he reviewed initiatives aimed at protecting terrestrial and marine habitats, restoring ecosystems and strengthening their resilience.
The EmBRACE project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and national and local partners, aims to protect biodiversity, restore terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, develop nature-based solutions and support sustainable livelihoods.
By Ahmed Al-Rawashdeh
Al-Majali stressed during the meeting, attended by Nidal Al-Oouran, the authority’s Commissioner for Environmental Affairs and Public Safety, and Sami Trabieh, Aqaba Projects Manager at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan, the importance of international partnerships in protecting natural resources and ensuring their sustainability. He also highlighted the need to link environmental conservation with economic opportunities in ways that support the blue economy and improve livelihoods for local communities.
He noted that biodiversity protection is a fundamental pillar of development in Aqaba, stressing the importance of cooperation with the Canadian government and UNDP to preserve the marine and coastal environment, restore ecosystems and strengthen their resilience to the effects of climate change.
For his part, Ambassador Aumais said Aqaba is an important economic driver for Jordan, particularly in regional development and tourism. He noted that the inclusion of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on UNESCO’s World Heritage List further underscores the importance of protecting its coastal resources and managing them sustainably.
He said Canada was proud to contribute to these efforts through an investment of JD 6 million to support terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the Aqaba region, in partnership with UNDP, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, and local partners and communities.
Meanwhile, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Abul-Hassan said the EmBRACE project adopts an integrated approach to biodiversity protection by linking marine and coastal ecosystems with Aqaba’s mountainous and desert environments, while addressing the factors contributing to environmental degradation.
She added that the project goes beyond protecting natural resources, helping create opportunities for sustainable development by encouraging innovation and strengthening the blue and circular economies. These efforts support inclusive growth and expand opportunities for women and young people.
During his visit to Aqaba, the Canadian ambassador learned about efforts to protect biodiversity. His visit included the Aqaba Authority’s nursery, the bird observatory and the Aqaba Marine Reserve, where he reviewed initiatives aimed at protecting terrestrial and marine habitats, restoring ecosystems and strengthening their resilience.
The EmBRACE project, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and national and local partners, aims to protect biodiversity, restore terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, develop nature-based solutions and support sustainable livelihoods.
By Ahmed Al-Rawashdeh
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