Aqaba, Oct. 2 (Petra) – A coordination meeting chaired by Commissioner for Environmental Affairs and Public Safety at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), Nidal Oran, and attended by members of the Jordan Press Association in Aqaba, reviewed the criteria for nominating the Aqaba Marine Reserve for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Oran stressed that the reserve is the first in Jordan to be nominated as a natural heritage site, in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II in 2020 to establish the reserve and initiate its UNESCO nomination process. The nomination file has been prepared in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the ASEZA.

He explained that the reserve, located in Aqaba’s southern coastal area, was established for its distinctive biodiversity, ecological and economic value, as well as its medical and aesthetic importance. It plays a vital role in reducing human impact on marine ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

Oran highlighted that the reserve is the first public beach in the Arab region to receive both the Blue Flag and inclusion on the Green List of Marine Reserves. He described it as an ecosystem of "exceptional universal value," noting its unique biodiversity and its coral reefs, which represent the northernmost extent of their range in the hemisphere.

He underlined that the reserve’s nomination is supported by a robust governance framework, comprehensive management plans, and extensive data and studies spanning 20 years.

Oran further emphasized the importance of concerted efforts by relevant authorities and stakeholders, in coordination with the Ministries of Tourism and Environment, to promote the nomination and ensure the reserve’s inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

//Petra// AJ