Convention

Jordan ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993 but, as stated previously, the country’s rich tradition of nature conservation is by no means a recent development. Since Jordan is a developed country, in terms of both its scientific and technological development and its nature conservation and environmental experience (including law enforcement, management and research), it expects to take an active part in the implementation of the Convention.

The Kingdom's commitment to environmental protection has been demonstrated by a number of significant legal measures to prevent pollution, habitat damage and to protectwildlife. That include: the adoption of a “National Environment Strategy” in 1991, the adoption of the “Jordanian Environmental Protection Law” in October 1995, the creation of the “General Corporation for Environment Protection” in 1996, and the preparation of the creation of the “Ministry of Environment” in the near future. The Government of Jordan has also ratified several other international conventions related to the environment including: the “Convention to Combat Desertification”, the “Ramsar Convention”, the “World Heritage Convention” and the “Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Environment”.

The recently adopted National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan constitutes a major contribution to the country's development plan. Land, water, pasture, terrestrial and marine ecosystems as well as wildlife and aquatic resources in particular are central to agriculture, fisheries and tourism development. Habitat protection, natural resource conservation and sustainable use options offer significant opportunities for demonstrating that conservation of biodiversity represents a vital investment in future sustainability of Jordan's economic and social development.

The ministry responsible for the implementation of the Biodiversity Convention is the Ministry of Municipality, Rural Affairs and the Environment. The General Corporation for the Environment Protection, acting under the Minister of the Municipality, Rural Affairs and Environment, is the scientific advisory body for Jordan to the Convention. An inter-ministerial committee (Steering Committee) for conservation of biodiversity was appointed in December. of 2000. It includes 18 representatives from the Ministries and NGO’s of : Ministry of Planning , Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Information ( TV & Radio Corporation), Ministry of Water an Irrigation, Ministry of Municipality and Rural affairs and Environment, National Center for Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer, Royal Geographical Center, Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, United Nations Development Programme, Women Gathering Committee, Farmers Union, Jordanian Cooperative Corporation, University of Jordan, Project Coordinator of Agro-biodiversity Project, Project Coordinator of Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, General Director of the General Corporation for Environmental Protection, Director of Nature and Land Conservation Directorate, Head of Biodiversity Unit, Legal Consultant, Environmental expert/ Private sector. The Steering Committee is taking part in the preparations for the formulation and implementation of Jordan’s