Amman: Under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Alia Bint Al Hussein, a regional workshop entitled "Promoting Positive Community Behavior to Reduce Demand for Wildlife and Birds in the Middle East" launched Wednesday in Amman. The event brought together representatives from governments, national, regional, and international environmental organizations, as well as experts in nature conservation from across the region.
According to Jordan News Agency, Princess Alia emphasized the significance of fostering positive societal attitudes and behaviors towards nature and wildlife conservation. In her remarks, she noted that a deep appreciation for nature is embedded in Arab culture and traditions. Princess Alia underscored the importance of awareness-raising, education, and encouraging positive behaviors, particularly among children and young people. This initiative aims to build an informed society that understands the importance of safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
The workshop, organized by BirdLife International - Middle East and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), in cooperation with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), the Princess Alia Foundation, and the Jordanian Ministry of Environment, is supported by the Safe Flyways for Migratory Birds Project 3: Reducing Illegal Killing of Birds. The project is being implemented in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and other Mediterranean countries.
Ibrahim Khader, Regional Director of BirdLife International - Middle East, highlighted BirdLife's pivotal role in placing illegal bird killing on the agenda of international agreements and forums. He stressed the need for moving beyond legislation towards understanding the social, economic, and cultural factors driving demand for birds and wildlife in the Middle East, one of the world's most important migratory bird flyways.
Abdul Razzaq Hamoud, Director of Protection and Sustainable Hunting at RSCN, affirmed Jordan's commitment to nature conservation through public awareness and partnerships. He pointed out the challenges arising from regional instability that have contributed to illegal hunting and wildlife trafficking, emphasizing the need for accurate awareness campaigns.
Akram Darwish, Regional Director of IFAW, emphasized the importance of changing social perceptions and behaviors for wildlife sustainability. He called for strong coordination and collaboration among stakeholders to transform attitudes and behaviors affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
Hani Shaer of the IUCN - West Asia Regional Office, advocated for understanding people and empowering communities to become champions of nature. Bilal Qteishat from the Jordanian Ministry of Environment emphasized behavior change as a key pillar of biodiversity conservation, with local communities being primary partners in these efforts.
The workshop builds on the outcomes of a similar event held in Jordan in 2024, highlighting the need for regional cooperation to address illegal bird killing. Recent estimates indicate that approximately 25 million birds are illegally killed annually across the Mediterranean. The Killing 3.0 report recorded a 20 percent decline in illegal bird killing, but progress remains uneven across countries.
Throughout the workshop, participants will explore behavioral change approaches to reduce wildlife and bird demand, focusing on social, economic, and cultural drivers. Discussions will also address the role of traditions, sustainable livelihood alternatives, and digital platforms in influencing wildlife demand. The workshop aims to produce practical recommendations to reduce illegal activities involving birds and wildlife, strengthening regional cooperation and supporting biodiversity conservation in the Middle East.