Environmental NGOs federation officially launched

AMMAN — The Jordanian Federation for Environmental NGOs was officially launched on Monday, becoming the country’s first coalition of environment and nature protection agencies.

The federation, which groups eight of the country’s main environment organisations, seeks to rally support for environmental causes and raise public awareness, according to its president, Israa Atturk.

“The federation constitutes a true case of environmental societies coming together under one umbrella to serve the country’s environment causes, and defend Jordanians’ rights to a safe and sustainable environment,” Atturk said during the launch ceremony.

It also seeks to participate in the formulation of national environment policies and strategies along with the Environment Ministry, and enhance and institutionalise environment work in the country, she underscored.

The group includes various environment societies specialising in specific fields such as biodiversity, public awareness, green buildings and marine life protection. 

It seeks to unite the stand of organisations working in environment-related fields when rallying support for an environmental cause.

Environment Minister Taher Shakhshir described the launch of a federation grouping the country’s major environment societies as “a step in the right direction”.

“The ministry will support the federation to improve environmental work and environment protection in the Kingdom,” Shakhshir said.

Although the federation was officially launched on Monday, it has previously participated in several environment campaigns. In 2012, the group announced its rejection of a government plan to merge the Environment Ministry with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

The federation also expressed its “absolute rejection” of plans to establish fish farms in Aqaba in March this year, warning against their adverse impact on marine life and coral reefs.