Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman and Minister of Agriculture Saeb Khreisat on Monday signed a cooperation agreement aimed at afforestation and the establishment of the Hasa Forest, in addition to planting trees along part of the Desert Highway.
The agreement is part of national efforts to expand green cover and mitigate the impacts of climate change, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The signing ceremony was attended by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Environment Omar Arabiyat and representatives from the ministries of environment and agriculture.
The agreement aims to afforest and plant some 400 dunums in the Hasa Forest, as well as 10 kilometres along the Desert Highway, with approximately 30,000 native forest seedlings.
The project is intended to improve the local environment and combat desertification.
Suleiman said that the agreement aligns with national priorities to protect the environment and promote environmental sustainability, stressing the importance of intragovernmental partnerships in implementing high-impact projects based on innovative solutions.
He highlighted the use of treated wastewater for irrigation through the Phosphate Residential City wastewater treatment plant, ensuring the optimal use of available resources.
For his part, Khreisat said that the Ministry of Agriculture will oversee the implementation of the afforestation works in accordance with the best technical practices and will ensure the site’s sustainability and maintenance for four years following completion, to guarantee the project’s success and continuity and to achieve its environmental and developmental objectives.
He noted that the number of planted seedlings will be equally counted for both ministries under the national initiative to plant 10 million trees over 10 years, adding that the project represents a qualitative addition to national afforestation efforts and reflects the government’s commitment to protecting natural resources.