Prince Hassan calls for Red Sea conservation commission

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan, chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Sunday called for establishing a commission that allows Red Sea countries to implement trans-boundary coordination and cooperation in the restoration and conservation of marine ecosystems.

Prince Hassan’s remarks were made during a speech that was delivered on his behalf by HCST Deputy Chairman Adnan Badran at the closing ceremony of the "First International Conference on the Red Sea Ecosphere: Conservation and Management of the Red Sea Marine Environment."

Participants in the three-day, Aqaba-held event discussed the coastal and marine environment of the Red Sea, the impact of climate change, physical and chemical studies and pollution, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

According to Prince Hassan, the main challenge remains bringing science to practicality, and developing policies based on credible information that can contribute to preserving the environment and improving quality of life.

A Red Sea Commission would allow Red Sea littoral states, along with neighbouring countries, to come together to not only deliberate, to listen to each other’s interests and concerns, and then fashion common solutions; thus, advancing regional creative commons, according to the prince’s remarks.

HCST Secretary General Abdullah Mousa praised the research papers of participants and their discussions that focused on the overlap of systems and specialisations, and their depth of knowledge.

The remarks mentioned the hope that this conference could underline the importance of evidence-based scientific roadmaps that are both de-politicised and neutral, and aimed at the betterment of all. 

In the final statement of the conference, participants agreed on the importance of enhancing international and regional cooperation to restore and maintain marine systems in joint water basins and shifting focus to multi-specialisation research. 

The conference was organised by HCST in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the University of Jordan and Yarmouk University.