Princess Basma bint Ali, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG), was on Wednesday named a Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Goodwill Ambassador for Near East and North Africa, in recognition of her active role in caring for the native flora of Jordan and nature conservation.
In a ceremony held to confer the title, Princess Basma said this step confirms Jordan’s prestigious position , under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership, at international forums in various political, economic and development fields.
“We are concerned with maximizing achievements in the agricultural sector and the environment and working to coordinate relations and exchange expertise locally, regionally and internationally to serve people and secure their needs by achieving food security and conserving nature,” she said.
Jordan, she noted, has made “remarkable” achievements in the field of agriculture, nature conservation and plant propagation, as a top development priority.
Princess Basma also pointed to the interest in flora-based scientific research by academic and research institutions to conserve diversity and increase productivity, and work to protect national capabilities for future generations.
For his part, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, lauded the Kingdom’s “advanced” level in the agricultural sector aimed to ensure food security, adding that Princess Basma’s selection confirms Jordan’s “high” position in this field.
In addition, Assaf expressed aspiration for more joint cooperation with Jordan to secure food security at the regional and international levels.
Source: Jordan News Agency