Amman, Sept. 8 (Petra) — Chairman of the Lower House Environment and
Climate Committee Jihad Abawi said Tuesday that His Majesty King
Abdullah II’s directive to the government to develop a unified
national strategy for climate finance would help strengthen Jordan’s
response to climate challenges and support related economic and
development priorities.

The strategy is to be developed in cooperation with the private
sector and relevant experts. Abawi said it would provide a broader
framework for climate finance, moving beyond the funding of
individual projects to attract financing and direct it toward
national priorities and projects with economic, environmental and
social impact.

Abawi pointed to Jordan’s securing $295 million from the Green
Climate Fund for the National Water Carrier Project as an indication
of international confidence in the country’s ability to implement
strategic projects addressing climate and development priorities.

He also noted that Jordan’s selection to host the representative
office of the Green Climate Fund for the Middle East, Central Asia
and Eastern Europe would strengthen its role as a regional center for
knowledge, expertise and cooperation in climate finance and climate
action.

Abawi stressed the need to build national capacities and provide
technical support for preparing projects that are technically and
economically ready to attract international financing. He also
highlighted the importance of making greater use of green and climate
finance instruments.

He said cooperation with the private sector would be an important
part of the national strategy, particularly in energy, water, waste
management, sustainable transport, climate-smart agriculture,
ecotourism and nature-based solutions.

Abawi added that the House of Representatives would continue, through
its legislative and oversight roles, to support national efforts
related to the green economy and climate finance, as well as
legislation and policies that encourage sustainable investment.

He said addressing climate change is not only an environmental
responsibility but also an opportunity to direct investment toward
future sectors, create jobs, strengthen the competitiveness of the
national economy, protect natural resources, and enhance Jordan’s
resilience and sustainability.

//Petra//WH