Amman, Aug. 5 (Petra) – Minister of Environment Muawiyah Radaideh on Tuesday said the transition to a green economy is a strategic priority in light of escalating global and regional environmental and climate challenges.
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the “Moving Towards a Green Economy” program, Radaideh said the initiative reflects Jordan’s commitment, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, to building a green and circular economy that fosters sustainable development, conserves natural resources, improves quality of life, generates jobs, and supports investment in clean energy, recycling, and sustainable transportation.
Radaideh stressed that fostering genuine public-private partnerships is key to ensuring economic growth that aligns with environmental protection.
He said the program, funded by the European Union and implemented in cooperation with SPARK and the Center for Energy and Environmental Sustainability in Industry, aims to support business support institutions across Jordan. The program’s goals include capacity building in green economy sectors, empowering small and medium-sized industries to adopt sustainable production practices, and promoting cooperation among stakeholders.
These goals, he added, align with Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, which seeks to build a competitive and innovation-driven economy balanced with environmental and social justice.
For his part, President of the Jordan and Amman Chambers of Industry, Fathi Jaghbir, described the program as a qualitative leap for the industrial sector, enhancing competitiveness, lowering production costs, and promoting compliance with international environmental standards.
Jaghbir said the industrial sector accounts for around 24 percent of GDP, employs more than 250,000 workers, most of whom are Jordanians, and generates over 90 percent of national exports, making it a cornerstone of the national economy.
He said the program falls within the Economic Modernization Vision and seeks to enhance resource efficiency, encourage the use of renewable energy, and reduce industrial carbon emissions, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises.
The initiative, he explained, will equip factories with tools, training, and methodologies to adopt sustainable practices, while increasing awareness of energy efficiency and its impact on cost reduction and competitiveness.
Jaghbir also underlined the need for harmonized efforts between government institutions, the private sector, and international partners, and called for supportive financing policies and incentive schemes to accelerate the shift toward sustainability.
He said the program could become a national model for enabling the industrial sector to confront environmental and economic challenges, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
Omar Abu Eid, Director of the Energy, Environment, and Climate Change Program at the EU Delegation to Jordan, said the EU’s involvement in the program aims to align economic activity with green objectives in the face of accelerating global environmental changes.
Abu Eid noted that green transformation is one of the EU’s key priorities, with a focus on climate action as a gateway to reform across all sectors, especially industry, given its critical economic and social role. He emphasized the role of business support institutions in advancing circular economy practices, optimizing resource use, and creating intersectoral linkages.
Afef Ajengui, Program Manager at the international NGO SPARK, said the program seeks to promote green solutions and circular business models that support an inclusive and just transition toward sustainable urban development.
She said the organization brings together local authorities, the private sector, and civil society to foster inclusive economic growth and expand youth employment opportunities.
Ajengui noted that the program is part of a broader regional initiative implemented across seven countries: Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Jordan.
She added that Jordan serves as a strategic hub in the region, particularly in light of shared challenges such as water scarcity and economic pressure, whose effects extend beyond national borders.
//Petra// AJ
05/08/2025 14:14:45
