(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)
Aqaba, May 6 (Petra) – The IUCN Regional Office for West Asia has announced that the Aqaba Marine Reserve is committing to achieving the IUCN's Green List Standard for Protected and Conserved Areas and had concluded the Applicant Phase requirements, which is the first milestone of the process.
The reserve is an official candidate for the IUCN Green List and can now continue with the verification process for full recognition and certification.
This declaration ensues the submission of a candidacy application by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2022, along with a comprehensive response to the assessment indicators comprising over 50 benchmarks that mirror 17 essential criteria pertaining to good governance, effective planning and design, competent management, and the excellence of nature conservation initiatives.
The successful completion of this crucial phase by the Aqaba Marine Reserve has been made possible through collaborative efforts between the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and its government partners, including the Ministry of Environment, and its international partners such as the European Union and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Jordan Office).
If the Aqaba Marine Reserve passes the second evaluation phase, obtaining the certificate signifies the Union's official recognition of it being among the world's best-managed reserves. This recognition is attributed to its effective governance and management, environmental sustainability approach, and preservation of marine resources, diversity, and protection against degradation and depletion.
The IUCN Green List Program is a worldwide certification initiative that aims to promote and attain protected areas through equitable and efficient means. It does so by highlighting best practices and providing a benchmark to measure progress towards effective and equitable management.
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