Amman, Nov. 30 (Petra) – The Ministry of Environment organized a specialized workshop Sunday to present preliminary results from the project to update Jordan’s national network of protected areas, aimed at strengthening natural-resource management and enhancing the community’s capacity to address climate-change impacts.

Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman, who sponsored the workshop, said updating the national network of reserves is a pivotal step in safeguarding biodiversity in Jordan. He noted that the project reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to international environmental agreements, particularly the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 30×30 initiative to protect 30 percent of terrestrial areas by 2030.

Suleiman emphasized the importance of improving reserve management and identifying the most vulnerable areas, helping Jordan adapt to accelerating climate changes, while highlighting the critical role of local communities in managing natural resources. He stressed that participatory management is essential to ensure the sustainability of environmental efforts and to achieve economic benefits for communities surrounding the protected areas.

During the workshop, Nadia Bolad, Program Manager for Protected Areas and Biodiversity at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) West Asia Regional Office, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the project’s implementation stages and scientific and environmental significance. She relied on the latest environmental and geographic data to identify priority areas for protection.

The workshop included in-depth discussions on updating reserve boundaries, setting protection priorities, and optimizing the use of financial and human resources to maximize land-use efficiency and reduce encroachments.

Participants also explored the growing role of natural reserves in promoting eco-tourism and generating employment opportunities for local communities. The project, set for implementation over the next three years, is expected to expand Jordan’s environmental protection framework, enhance the efficiency of reserve management, and better align conservation goals with sustainable development needs.

//Petra// AF
30/11/2025 22:11:58