The Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh on Monday highlighted the importance of the success of the ministry’s National Afforestation Project amid growing global climate concerns, and as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to mitigate its effects.
During a meeting with directors of the directorates, Radaideh called for launching a comprehensive campaign across the Kingdom to ensure that the relevant establishments comply with the environmental requirements and legislation regulating the operation process.
He also stressed coordinating efforts among the ministry’s staff to enhance the environmental situation in the Kingdom and keep pace with local and global developments, especially those related to climate change, underlining the importance of implementing the ministry’s programs and plans.
He stressed the need to crack down on environmental violators, especially repeat offenders, and to refer those violators to the competent judicial authorities to take the appropriate legal action.
The minister indicated the importance of activating the Waste Management Framework Law No. 16 of 2020, especially in terms of illicit waste disposal, noting that the ministry will fully support environmental offices across the Kingdom to overcome the obstacles facing them to implement their programs and tasks and provide services to citizens.
The ministry, he indicated, is preparing to launch a series of programs and activities, in partnership and cooperation with all concerned parties, civil society organizations and youth entities, underscoring commitment to respond and cooperate with proposals that serve environmental work and sustainable construction according to the status quo and in light of the spread of the COVID-19 and increasing climate change, which “is becoming a serious threat to the world.”
The National Afforestation Project, with an estimated budget of JD5 million, was launched in June of 2021 in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture. The project employs about 5,800 laborers and agricultural engineers.
Last week, the minister met with the Economic and Social Council to discuss the environment item in the annual Country Status Report. During the meeting, Radaideh said that Jordan is working with the relevant global system to shift to green economy, as the world moves towards addressing climate change challenges and its impact on the environment sector.
He stressed the importance of setting goals and achieving them to help countries face environmental challenges, noting that the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in the Middle East.
Source: Jordan News Agency