‘Regional officials, experts to discuss energy, water challenges in Amman’

AMMAN — The Eco-Cities of the Mediterranean 2014 Forum opens next week to address the region’s challenges in attaining sustainable energy and integrated management of water resources and solid waste, according to organisers.

The October 18-20 forum, which will be held at the Dead Sea, will bring together politicians and ministers from the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, in addition to NGOs involved in natural resource conservation, private companies, architects, engineers, landscape designers and city planners, organisers said on Monday.

Mohammad Asfour, a member of the forum’s board of trustees, said the event seeks to pave the way for a green economy in the region through networking between the private, public and civil society sectors.

“The forum will touch on several topics, mainly green economy, green building and waste management,” Asfour told The Jordan Times.

It also aims at promoting economic growth and employment, particularly for young people; the adoption of environment-friendly practices; and the introduction of new technologies; in addition to providing a platform for Mediterranean cities, business, government and civil society leaders to discuss best practices and exchange ideas, according to organisers.

The forum will also feature an exhibition to offer participants a venue to showcase and present their green products and services. 

The first Eco-Cities of the Mediterranean Forum was held in October 2008 as an initiative of the Environment Ministry to bring together private and public sector representatives, as well as NGOs and intergovernmental organisations to raise awareness, share experience and information on best practices, and identify opportunities for investment and technology transfer in the environmental sector.

The event concluded with the issuance of the “Amman Declaration for Eco-Cities”, and several recommendations, including holding the forum every two years in capitals across the region to follow up on joint achievements in the field.

The forum is organised in cooperation with the ministries of environment and municipal affairs, the Greater Amman Municipality, UNIDO and UNEP and sponsored by the USAID Jordan Competitiveness Programme.