Barcelona, April 26 (Petra)-- Nedal Al Ouran, Commissioner for Environment and Public Safety at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), stated on Sunday that private sector engagement is no longer an option but an urgent necessity to ensure the sustainability of blue economy projects.

Speaking in Barcelona, Al-Ouran emphasized that integrating private investment is key to maximizing the economic and environmental impact of the sector by expanding the investment base in maritime and coastal industries.

Al Ouran co-chaired the fifth steering committee meeting of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership Fund alongside representatives from Spain. The gathering aimed to strengthen international cooperation and support initiatives that promote sustainable maritime development.

The meeting was attended by the committee’s secretariat, represented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), as well as representatives from the fund's member states.

Discussions focused on the development of linked projects and the strategic alignment of international funding with sustainable ocean and coastal management goals.

//Petra// AF