USAID pledges $1 million, ADC JD400,000 to preserve Aqaba Bird Observatory

AMMAN — Facilitated by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to construct new lined ponds, intended to sustain the Aqaba Bird Observatory, was signed on Monday.

The agreement was signed between ASEZA, the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Aqaba Water Company (AWC) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Joint funding from the US government, through USAID, and the Jordanian government, through ADC, will preserve the environmental and touristic significance of the observatory, which provides important protection in the form of aquatic and land habitats for different migrating bird species. USAID has pledged $1 million to support the first phase of development, while ADC will provide JD400,000 to support the first phase of construction.

The observatory serves as a rest stop for more than half a million migrating birds each year, according to a statement made available to The Jordan Times. Despite its small size, the observatory has been visited by 271 types of bird species, or over 61 per cent of the bird species recorded in Jordan’s database, making it a destination for bird watchers from around the world.

ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nayef Al Fayez affirmed that the Aqaba Bird Observatory, established by ASEZA in 2004, enjoys “special importance” as a resting spot for birds travelling through Jordan on their migratory journey between the north and south regions of the globe. 

The observatory is a “prime investment opportunity” as an ecotourism bird-watching site, Fayez added, noting that this supports plans to diversify tourism products in the city of Aqaba. 

ADC CEO Hussain Safadi said that the project is partially funded by the ADC in line with its corporate social responsibility activities and goal to ensure local benefits from increasing tourism to Aqaba. ADC’s investment in the observatory reflects the company’s role in tourism and environmental development in Aqaba, he added. 

“For 35 years, USAID has partnered with authorities and corporations in Aqaba to meet Jordan’s growing water needs and strengthen the sustainability of the water sector. Now, we are proud to expand that partnership to include preserving its natural heritage,” said USAID Deputy Mission Director, Emily Krunic.

Director General of RSCN Fadi Al Nasser said: “The observatory holds environmental and ecotourism value, making it a vital location. It is undergoing a unique experiment in adapting to the significant climate changes that are taking our natural habitats by storm, by reusing treated water to draw and shelter migrating birds while also acting as an ecotourism product that maintains Aqaba’s natural capital and positively impacts, both directly and indirectly, humankind.”

Meanwhile, General Manager of AWC Khalid Obaideen explained that the AWC has supported the project from the beginning by providing the treated water necessary to sustain the observatory’s vital habitats. 

Hosted by the RSCN at the Aqaba Bird Observatory, the ceremony brought together project partners, government representatives and stakeholders from Aqaba Governorate. Since the start of their close collaboration in 2012, ASEZA and RSCN have integrated ecosystem management at the observatory to ensure its sustainability.