Amman: 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.
According to Jordan News Agency, 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.