Amman, Dec. 2 (Petra) – HRH Princess Basma Bint Ali, founder of the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG), on Tuesday received Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman during his visit to the garden in Tel Al-Rumman.

The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation on environmental and research projects, and a memorandum of understanding was signed to implement new pioneering initiatives in biodiversity protection.

Princess Basma expressed her appreciation to the Ministry of Environment for its attention and continued support, noting that the garden seeks to build productive partnerships that contribute to protecting biodiversity and enhancing sustainability. She said the Environmental Knowledge Park project will form a leading national addition that strengthens the garden’s role as a distinguished research and educational center in the region.

During the tour, Minister Suleiman viewed the garden’s facilities, including the seed bank, nurseries, research laboratories and ecological trails.

He also listened to a detailed briefing from the Princess and the garden’s director general, Mohammad Shahbaz, on the garden’s mission and its programs since its establishment in 2008 as a non-profit institution dedicated to protecting native plants and restoring ecosystems.

The visit included a field tour of the King Talal Dam area to review efforts to preserve the surrounding natural environment and enhance plant cover, as well as to discuss potential cooperation on sustainable development projects that serve the local community and safeguard its environmental resources.

For his part, the environment minister affirmed the ministry’s support for the RBG, underscoring the scientific and national role it plays in preserving Jordan’s plant heritage and building an advanced knowledge base in environmental research.

He also expressed the ministry’s readiness to cooperate in supporting the Environmental Knowledge Park project to raise environmental awareness and provide interactive educational spaces for future generations.

The Royal Botanic Garden is one of the country’s foremost national environmental projects aimed at protecting native plants and restoring ecosystems, supported directly by His Majesty King Abdullah II, with the goal of preserving Jordan’s natural heritage and ensuring its sustainability for generations to come.

//Petra// AF