Aqaba, May 13 (Petra) -- Participants at the Regional Conference on Crisis Management and Coastal and Port Sustainability 2026 called for integrating artificial intelligence into crisis response systems and strengthening preparedness mechanisms to address growing environmental, logistical and security challenges facing coastal and port cities.

The conference, which concluded in Aqaba, issued a series of strategic recommendations focused on enhancing community awareness, strengthening confidence in official institutions and developing advanced digital systems to support decision-making during emergencies.

The recommendations also stressed the importance of supporting applied research, developing qualified leadership capacities and expanding cooperation between the public and private sectors.

Participants emphasized the need to protect environmentally sensitive and economically strategic areas such as Aqaba while transforming conference outcomes into practical national initiatives aimed at building a more resilient and advanced crisis management system in Jordan.

Speaking on behalf of Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, President of the National Center for Security and Crisis Management Brig. Gen. Hatem Al-Zoubi said ports have become critical drivers of global trade and national economies in an increasingly unpredictable international environment.

He said the rapid evolution of maritime and logistics sectors requires integrating environmental sustainability into port operations and development strategies.

Al-Zoubi added that sustainability in maritime industries has become a strategic necessity rather than an optional policy, noting that balancing port expansion with environmental protection requires continued investment in innovation, technology and institutional capacity building.

He also pointed to growing uncertainty surrounding global shipping regulations, rising supply chain costs and increasing pressure on energy markets.

Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Commissioner for Environment and Public Safety Nidal Al-Awaran said the conference reflects Jordan’s efforts to strengthen national resilience and improve institutional readiness in coastal and port sectors.

He stressed that crisis management in such areas requires integrated coordination and a collaborative institutional approach due to the overlap between environmental, logistical and security responsibilities.

Conference discussions focused on improving institutional readiness, strengthening emergency response capabilities, developing leadership skills under pressure and reviewing modern technologies used in risk forecasting and emergency management.

Participants also examined ways to expand regional and international knowledge exchange, integrate sustainability principles into recovery plans and strengthen partnerships between governments, academia and the private sector to develop more flexible crisis management systems.

//Petra// RZ