Al Ghad (الغد) - Coverage of S+50 National Consultation in Amman Jordan

Jordan Launches National Consultations in the preparation of Stockholm+50 Report

Under Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all – our responsibility, our opportunity” Jordan launched its first national consultation hosting 85 participants from different public and private sectors, in addition to youth, academia, and civil society organisations. The participants discussed national priorities and displayed their recommendations to enhance the overall perception of climate change, and suggested environment-based sustainable solutions, to be incorporated in Jordan’s national report. Jordan’s final report will be presented at the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, which will be held in early June in Stockholm, with the support of the Swedish and Kenyan governments, coinciding with the celebration of its 50th anniversary.

Subsequently, two additional consultations will be held in both Northern and Southern Jordan, in aim to generate further recommendations which accelerate the implementation of the sustainable development goals and ensure an enhanced post Covid-19 recovery.

At the opening session, the Swedish Ambassador to Jordan Alexandra Rydmark stressed that “Stockholm 50+” will accelerate efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, at a time when the environment and climate change sector are one of the priorities of the Swedish government and the embassy in the Kingdom.

“The “Stockholm 50+ Conference” for Jordan is an opportunity that must be invested in promoting national priorities that contribute to protecting the environment and achieving sustainable development,” according to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Al-Khashanah. He additionally pointed out that "Jordan has taken steps since the Stockholm Conference in 1972, at the institutional, legal and technical levels," by "promoting integration between the public and private sectors, civil society institutions, partners from international organisations, and donor countries to protect the environment." And he indicated that "Jordan had signed multilateral environmental agreements, in which Jordan adheres to their requirements, such as Rotterdam, Basel, Biodiversity, the Paris Agreement among many others."

The Resident Representative of UNDP Jordan, Randa Aboul-Hosn, indicated that “the role of Stockholm +50” is not solely limited to negotiations, but is actually a catalyst for taking action to reach a healthy and prosperous planet for all.” According to her, "the success of the conference will be measured by achieving collective actions, building partnerships, and launching initiatives for nature-based solutions, which come as a result of ideas, discussions and dialogues during the international meeting, with a focus on involving women, youth and less privileged individuals."

The consultation witnessed high-yielding discussions in which the participants stressed that "access to sustainable solutions based on environmental solutions does not come through working in an intersectional manner between the various concerned government institutions, and in partnership with the private sector." And the stressed on "reconsidering environmental legislation, unifying references regarding environmental affairs within one institutional umbrella, and forming specialised technical committees in the parliament to discuss environmental issues, are among the important priorities when talking about sustainable solutions."

Altogether, the participants identified several environmental issues that require many interventions to achieve the concept of sustainable solutions, and the needs to be mobilised to achieve that purpose, including hazardous waste, water, environmental legislation, and others. The first session included a presentation on the Stockholm conference, highlighting Jordan's position among the main themes adopted by the conference in its work agenda.”