Sustainable development of land adjacent to Baptism Site mission kicks off 

AMMAN — The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) on Wednesday launched a series of consultations for the “Sustainable Development of Land Adjacent to the Baptism Site: Investment Pathways Exploration Mission”. 

The mission consultations, in collaboration with the Government of Jordan and the Foundation to Develop Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site (Bethany Beyond the Jordan), will continue until May 30, according to a UNDP statement. 

The discussions will identify investment opportunities and potential partners for sustainable development in the area adjacent to the Baptism Site. Participants include representatives of ministries, public institutions, academia, NGOs, financial regulatory bodies and financial and investment institutions, as well as investors, local stakeholders and development partners.

In her opening remarks Randa Abulhosn, the UNDP Jordan Resident Representative, said: “UNDP is committed to promoting inclusive human development and economic growth in Jordan. Our role is that of an integrator and convenor. We bring all the partners together. We offer technical expertise and systems thinking and approaches; and with our UNCDF colleagues, we investigate the investment and Local Economic Development opportunities. We look forward to cooperating with our partners to better serve Jordan and its people and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

UNCDF mission lead Mohammed Abbadi said: "We are excited to partner with UNDP Jordan, the Government of Jordan and Bethany Beyond the Jordan Foundation in this investment pathways exploration mission. We believe that this mission offers a unique chance to identify investment opportunities that promote sustainable development and have positive social and environmental impacts in the area adjacent to the Baptism Site."

"We welcome this investment exploration mission and are eager to collaborate with all relevant partners and stakeholders to promote inclusive and sustainable development in the area adjacent to the Baptism Site, while ensuring the protection and preservation of the UNESCO Heritage Site. We are also committed to exploring new approaches to impact investment and sustainable development," said Samir Murad, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bethany Beyond the Jordan Foundation.

Marwan Al Refai, Secretary General at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation added: “We recognise that the project to develop the lands adjacent to the Baptism Site is one of the pioneering projects that the Jordanian government is committed in providing a strategic vision to consolidate Jordan's position as a major destination for tourism, by strengthening the infrastructure to accommodate pilgrims and visitors from all over the world and to translate it into a model to be followed at the regional level.”

The mission team will also tour the Baptism development site later this week to view the potential for sustainable development projects in the area and ensure its contribution to the development and prosperity of the community.