Aqaba, July 30 (Petra)– Dina Mahadin – The Aqaba Special Economic
Zone Authority (ASEZA) on Thursday held a ceremony to celebrate the
inscription of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on UNESCO’s World Heritage
List, in the presence of HRH Princess Basma bint Ali, founder of the
Royal Botanic Garden.

ASEZA Chief Commissioner Shadi Al-Majali said the reserve’s
inscription on the Natural World Heritage List marks the culmination
of decades of national efforts to protect Jordan’s marine environment
and ushers in a new phase focused on sustainability and the
advancement of the blue economy, in line with His Majesty King
Abdullah II’s vision of preserving natural resources for future
generations.

Speaking at the event, which was attended by Aqaba Governor Ayman
Al-Awaisheh, senior officials, representatives of government and
international organizations, and development partners, Al-Majali said
work on the nomination dossier began following the establishment of
the marine reserve in 2019, with the support of local and
international partners, culminating in its official inscription on
UNESCO’s Natural World Heritage List.

He stressed that the achievement reinforces Jordan’s standing on the
global map of natural heritage conservation.

Following the ceremony, ASEZA officials outlined during a press
conference the key stages of preparing the nomination file, the
national and institutional efforts that led to the successful
inscription, and future plans for managing the reserve, protecting
its coral reefs, and promoting eco-tourism and scientific research in
line with international best practices.

Speakers emphasized that the post-inscription phase represents a
shared national responsibility and will focus on safeguarding the
reserve’s Outstanding Universal Value, expanding scientific research
and environmental monitoring programs, strengthening partnerships
with national and international institutions, and increasing
community participation in conservation and sustainability efforts to
preserve the site for future generations.

Officials also answered media questions on the environmental, tourism
and economic significance of the inscription, as well as plans to
protect the reserve’s Outstanding Universal Value and engage local
communities in conservation initiatives. They described the
achievement as a milestone that will further establish Aqaba as a
global destination for eco-tourism and sustainable investment, while
showcasing a Jordanian success story with international significance.

//Petra// MF