Amman, Nov. 12 (Petra) -- Environment Minister Ayman Suleiman and Italian officials discussed expanding environmental and climate cooperation to include water and biodiversity during talks on the sidelines of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.

Suleiman met representatives of Italy’s Ministry of Environment and Energy Security at the 31st UN Climate Change Conference to discuss bilateral and regional partnerships, including the possibility of a new memorandum of understanding.

Suleiman praised Italy’s continued support for Jordan, particularly its contributions to the Jordan Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund since 2018. He called for building on existing partnerships to address both countries’ environmental and development priorities.

The two sides discussed the possibility of preparing a memorandum of understanding on water and biodiversity cooperation in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign and Expatriates' Affairs. They also emphasized the importance of regional initiatives, exchanges of expertise, and drawing on experience from cooperation with the European Union and European neighborhood programs to address shared environmental challenges.

Reviewing Jordan’s biodiversity protection efforts, Suleiman said nature reserves cover 5.6% of the Kingdom’s territory. He also cited the recent inscription of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and the designation of 30% of Jordan’s coastline as a marine reserve.

Suleiman called for stronger regional and international partnerships to mobilize climate finance and direct it toward projects with tangible impact.

He said Jordan’s selection to host a regional office of the Green Climate Fund would strengthen the Kingdom’s position as a regional center for climate cooperation, coordination and financing.

The Italian representatives said their government had recently approved support for Jordan’s National Water Carrier Project and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in sectors of shared priority.

//Petra// AO