As-Salt, Oct. 22 (Petra) Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman said that the Dead Sea represents a unique national, environmental, and economic asset requiring coordinated national and international efforts to protect it from degradation, highlighting the importance of scientific research in analyzing environmental and seismic changes and developing practical solutions.

His remarks came during a scientific seminar on Wednesday titled "Environmental Challenges and Seismic Issues in the Dead Sea: Reality and Solutions," organized by the International Research Center for Water, Environment, and Energy (IRCWEE) at Al-Balqa Applied University, in cooperation with the Generations Forum for Cultural Creativity. The event was attended by the university president, Ahmed Ajlouni, as well as experts and researchers in environment, water, and energy fields.

Suleiman stressed the need to support studies investigating the causes of the Dead Sea’s declining water levels and their environmental and economic repercussions, noting that such research forms the basis of any comprehensive national plan to preserve the Dead Sea and ensure the sustainability of its resources.

Ajlouni stated that the seminar aligns with the university’s vision to address sustainable development challenges through applied scientific research, aiming to position the university as a national hub for expertise in water, energy, and environment via specialized research centers, in partnership with relevant national and international institutions.

Omar Arabiat, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment, noted that the Dead Sea’s shores face multiple environmental and natural risks, chiefly declining water levels due to climate change and human activity, stressing the importance of coordinated efforts among official, academic, and community bodies to implement integrated programs that mitigate environmental degradation and preserve the area’s natural and touristic value.

Forum president Walid Qutaish highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and civil society institutions to raise environmental awareness and foster a culture of resource conservation, noting the forum’s role in supporting national environmental initiatives and enhancing the contribution of culture to sustainable development.

Experts Najeeb Abu Karak and Saad Abu Hammour presented a scientific lecture on the continuous decline of the Dead Sea’s water levels due to excessive water usage, resulting in sinkholes, land collapses, and retreating shores, as well as the seismic activity along the region’s active fault line, calling for continuous preparedness and prudent risk management.

The seminar concluded with recommendations emphasizing collaboration among governmental agencies, academic institutions, and civil society organizations to develop a comprehensive and sustainable national strategy for protecting the Dead Sea from environmental and geological degradation while leveraging its natural potential to enhance Jordan’s national economy and safeguard this unique environmental heritage.

//Petra// AF