Aqaba, Sept. 29 (Petra) – The coastal city of Aqaba on Tuesday hosted
the Aqaba Beach Cleanup Campaign 2026 under the slogan “The Wave
Continues,” uniting governmental bodies, international organizations,
students, and community volunteers to protect the marine ecosystem in
the Gulf of Aqaba.

The campaign was organized by Oxfam in Jordan under the project to
provide solid waste management services in the Zaatari and Azraq
camps and surrounding host communities, funded by the European Union,
with the participation of the European Regional Cooperation Programme
for the Mediterranean Basin (Interreg NEXT MED), and in cooperation
with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba
Marine Reserve, the Directorate of Education, and the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan.

Marine activities were carried out by the Royal Naval Force and Royal
Boats Command, the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate, and its diving
teams, alongside schools, students, local associations, and
volunteers, contributing to the organized and safe implementation of
the events.

Commissioner for Environment and Public Safety Affairs at ASEZA Nedal
Al Ouran stressed the importance of long-term partnerships with
international organizations and development institutions, noting
continued work with Oxfam to develop projects that enhance solid
waste management and support the national campaign to reduce random
dumping of waste and spread sound environmental practices.

Oxfam Country Director in Jordan Dmitry Medlev said protecting the
marine environment requires continuity of work, effective
partnerships, and community participation, explaining that the “The
Wave Continues” campaign aims to transform environmental awareness
into tangible action and promote responsible practices in waste
management.

Coordinator of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Office
at Interreg NEXT MED Ismat Karadsheh pointed to the importance of
cross-border cooperation in supporting sustainable development and
addressing shared environmental challenges, noting that the program
currently supports 59 projects worth 120 million euros, with the
participation of about 500 organizations.

For her part, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan Randa Abu
Al-Hassan affirmed that the program’s participation in the campaign
reflects its commitment to turning the circular economy concept into
practical reality through the 9Rs principles and the establishment of
the Creative Circular Economy Center with EU funding, contributing to
green job creation and the protection of natural resources in Aqaba.

The campaign included an awareness session on plastic pollution and
the impact of cigarette butts on the environment, a presentation of
previous seabed cleanup campaigns under the Blue Team initiative, the
planting of 30 trees and distribution of agricultural tools, the
installation of 12 waste containers, and the implementation of the
“Draw Your Project Idea” activity to propose innovative solutions to
reduce the impact of cigarette butts.

The campaign’s slogan “The Wave Continues” reflects the importance of
continuing environmental work and transforming awareness into daily
practices that contribute to preserving the marine environment and
the resources of the Gulf of Aqaba for future generations.

//Petra// AF