Amman, Dec. 29 (Petra) – Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman and Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khraisat on Monday signed a joint cooperation agreement aimed at afforestation and the establishment of Hasa Forest, in addition to afforesting part of the Desert Highway, as part of national efforts to enhance vegetation cover and confront the impacts of climate change.

The signing was attended by Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment Omar Arabiyat, along with representatives from the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture.

The agreement aims to afforest and plant an estimated area of about 400 dunums in Hasa Forest, in addition to afforesting and planting 10 kilometers of the Desert Highway, with an estimated total of about 30,000 forest seedlings of native species, contributing to improving the local environment and reducing desertification.

Suleiman said the agreement aligns with national directions to protect the environment and enhance environmental sustainability, stressing the importance of partnership between government institutions in implementing qualitative projects based on innovative solutions, including the use of treated wastewater for irrigation through the Phosphate Residential City treatment plant, to ensure optimal use of available resources.

For his part, Khraisat said the Ministry of Agriculture will undertake the afforestation and planting works in accordance with best technical practices and will commit to sustaining and maintaining the site for four years after completion of implementation to ensure the project’s success, continuity and achievement of its environmental and developmental objectives.

He noted that the number of planted seedlings will be counted equally between the two ministries under the national initiative to plant 10 million trees over 10 years, affirming that the project constitutes a qualitative addition to national afforestation efforts and reflects the government’s commitment to protecting natural resources.

The agreement comes as a continuation of a series of agreements previously signed between the Ministries of Environment and Agriculture within the framework of ongoing joint work between the two sides and national efforts to implement the initiative to plant 10 million trees over 10 years, enhancing institutional cooperation and contributing to achieving environmental sustainability goals and protecting natural resources.

//Petra// AF