Aqaba, June 7 (Petra) — Ayla Oasis Development Company has renewed
its cooperation agreement with the Royal Society for the Conservation
of Nature (RSCN), extending a strategic partnership spanning more
than a decade that has helped position Aqaba as a key environmental
destination along global migratory bird routes.

According to a company statement issued Sunday, the agreement
reflects the two sides’ shared commitment to protecting biodiversity,
promoting sustainable environmental practices, supporting scientific
monitoring programs for migratory birds, and developing ecotourism
experiences that balance environmental conservation with high-quality
visitor experiences.

Under the agreement, the two parties will continue implementing bird
monitoring programs during the spring and autumn migration seasons of
2026. The program includes monitoring bird species and tracking their
movements within Ayla, developing a specialized environmental
database to document biodiversity, and enhancing scientific knowledge
related to migratory birds.

The agreement also supports the continued operation of the Aqaba Bird
Observatory and the expansion of its environmental education and
awareness programs.

Ayla Chief Executive Officer Sahl Dudin said the renewed partnership
reflects the company’s commitment to investing in sustainability as a
core component of its long-term development strategy, noting that
environmental protection and the preservation of ecological balance
remain central to Ayla’s vision.

He said the partnership has produced tangible results over the years
in bird monitoring and habitat conservation, adding that integrating
sustainability with high-quality tourism experiences creates new
opportunities for ecotourism in Aqaba and reinforces Ayla’s position
as a model for balanced and sustainable development.

For his part, RSCN Director General Fadi Nasser said the partnership
represents a successful model of cooperation between the private
sector and national institutions in protecting biodiversity.

He noted that the achievements of recent years have supported
nature-based development efforts and helped raise awareness about the
importance of wildlife conservation.

Nasser added that Aqaba offers a successful example of integrating
ecotourism into private-sector projects, highlighting Ayla and the
Aqaba Bird Observatory as leading models in biodiversity conservation
through the creation of supportive habitats and environmental
initiatives.

Since 2014, cooperation between Ayla and the RSCN has contributed to
strengthening the role of the Aqaba Bird Observatory as a specialized
scientific and environmental platform. The partnership has also
facilitated the documentation of numerous migratory bird species,
including several rarely recorded in Jordan, underscoring the growing
environmental significance of Ayla and the observatory as major
stopover sites along one of the world’s most important migratory bird
routes linking Europe and Asia with Africa.

//Petra// AJ