Jordan to host environment gathering from October 18

Amman: The Jordanian government on Tuesday launched an initiative to set 'green' standards for the region's cities, touted as the first of its kind in the Arab world.

Environment Minister Khalid Irani said the drive will spell out minimum standards that cities have to abide by if they want to become environment friendly, including implementing more solar, wind and other alternative energy resources.

It also includes reducing carbon emissions, introducing legislation and setting 'green' policies.

Irani said these issues will be discussed in an October conference at the Dead Sea - the venue of Jordan's most important ecological treasure.

More than 250 experts and officials from the United States, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and the Arab world are expected to attend the October 18-20 'Eco-Cities of the Mediterranean Forum 2008' event.

Important role

"We are ready to start playing an important role in bringing the environmental agenda high up nationally and regionally, especially with cities," Irani said.

Jordan's environment efforts are relatively new, and Irani's ministry has been in place just for the past 5 years.

But the minister said Jordan, which last year hosted the World Economic Forum on the Middle East, and was ready to assume a leadership role in environment issues.

There have also been several initiatives to protect Jordan's own natural heritage, including the setting up of professionally run nature reserves. The country also has established public-private sector partnerships to manage medical waste and solid waste - a first such endeavor in the Arab world.

Jordan's King Abdullah II has set a target that renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, make up 10 per cent of the country's energy production by 2020.