jordan pulse -

As part of the national initiative to plant 10 million trees over the next 10 years and to enhance public-private sector collaboration, the Environment and Agriculture Ministries, along with the Jordan Kuwait Bank, signed a cooperation agreement on Sunday, July 21, 2024. This agreement aims to carry out reforestation on 500 dunums in the Hashimiya District of Zarqa Governorate, specifically in the Ghoreisa area. The funding will be jointly provided by the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Protection Fund and the Jordan Kuwait Bank, with the Ministry of Agriculture responsible for implementing and maintaining the site for five years.

This agreement aligns with the royal vision to increase green spaces in Jordan, strengthen resilience against climate change, and reduce environmental impact in the region.

Minister of Environment, Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, emphasized the ministry's role in expanding green areas through the national reforestation project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, to plant ten million trees over the next decade. This initiative supports the royal vision of providing suitable recreational spaces for citizens and raising environmental awareness while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Minister Radaideh also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, reflecting the directives of His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, which encompass environmental, economic, and social dimensions. He thanked the Jordan Kuwait Bank for its societal responsibility and participation in funding this pioneering environmental and agricultural project.

Minister of Agriculture, Engineer Khaled Hneifat, stated that this agreement strengthens the principle of public-private partnership in the context of the 10-million-tree planting initiative, which aligns with the national sustainable agriculture plan, particularly in areas with low rainfall and industrial characteristics. The expansion of green spaces will positively impact the environment and local communities. Hneifat mentioned that the sustainable agriculture plan has led to the creation of several forests, the use of water-saving cocoon technology, and partnerships to utilize water from companies to expand forested areas and develop nurseries for various initiatives and reforestation plans. This project will also job opportunities for local communities and ensure sustainable partnerships with the private sector, unifying governmental efforts in executing reforestation strategies.

CEO of the Jordan Kuwait Bank, Mr. Haitham Al-Batihi, remarked that funding this project is a national and collaborative duty to achieve environmental sustainability and increase green spaces across the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is part of the bank's responsibility and sustainability strategy to actively contribute to increasing green areas and addressing environmental challenges facing the kingdom. This initiative highlights the bank's community and sustainable engagement, which are fundamental values contributing to their strong connection with the local Jordanian community.

Al-Batihi also praised the efforts of the Environment and Agriculture Ministries in their dedicated and sustainable work to increase green areas and tree planting, which significantly impacts the environment by mitigating climate change and reducing pollution.