Aqaba, February 20 (Petra) -- Jordan has assumed the presidency of the 21st session of the Regional Organization for the Conservation of the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA) during the Ministerial Council meeting held in Aqaba on Thursday.

Minister of Environment Muawiyah Radaideh took over the presidency from Egypt’s Minister of Environment, Yasmine Fouad, in the presence of environment ministers and representatives of member states.

In his remarks, Radaideh emphasized the collective responsibility to protect the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, highlighting their economic, environmental, and strategic significance. He commended Saudi Arabia for hosting PERSGA’s headquarters in Jeddah and Egypt for its leadership during the previous session.

He stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation to ensure the sustainability of marine resources and called for enhanced coordination between countries bordering the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. He also noted Jordan’s commitment to environmental conservation, citing the designation of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, which spans 7 km and constitutes 30% of Jordan’s coastline.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Radaideh held bilateral discussions with Saudi Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al-Fadli, focusing on circular economy initiatives and private sector collaboration. He also met with Egyptian Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad to discuss international agreements and funding opportunities for environmental projects.

Additionally, Radaideh met with PERSGA Secretary-General Ziad Abu Gharara, reaffirming Jordan’s commitment to advancing the organization's objectives and implementing decisions from the current session.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of decisions aimed at strengthening PERSGA’s role in environmental conservation and supporting member states in safeguarding the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

//Petra// AJ

20/02/2025 16:42:35