AUS and UNDP partner to advance disability inclusion and climate-resilient development
This collaboration reinforces AUS' mission to serve society through knowledge, innovation and cross-sector engagement. It also affirms the university's expanding role as a regional and global hub for inclusive research, driving long-term development outcomes that benefit communities and individuals alike.
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Jordan News
28-07-2025
- Jordan News
Safadi: Jordan Will Not Stop Supporting Our People in Gaza - Jordan News
Speaker of the Jordanian House of Representatives, Ahmad Safadi, declared that the world is silently witnessing some of the most horrific crimes in history—killings and starvation in Gaza—that expose the brutal face of the occupying power and violate all principles of humanity and international law. اضافة اعلان His remarks came on Monday during his sponsorship of a workshop titled "Legal Frameworks for Climate Change and the Energy Transition in Jordan", organized by the Jordanian Masarat Center for Development and Progress. Safadi emphasized that Jordan, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, will remain firmly aligned with the Palestinian cause and will continue its support in delivering aid to the people of Gaza. He affirmed Jordan's commitment to intensifying efforts to stop the war and its rejection of any unilateral actions in the West Bank, warning that continued aggression could drag the region into chaos. On the workshop's climate-related themes, Safadi said that Jordan, under royal leadership, is committed to a clear vision for a greener future, affirming that legislation is the cornerstone of this transition. Parliament, he noted, is responsible for developing laws that meet evolving climate needs and serve future generations. He pointed out that climate change is a tangible reality that impacts natural resources, food and water security, public health, and the national economy. It increases pressure on essential resources—especially water and energy—which are critical sectors for a country like Jordan that faces complex environmental and economic challenges. Despite limited resources, he stated, Jordan has always been at the forefront of adopting a balanced and participatory approach to climate and energy issues. He added that transitioning in the energy sector is not just about moving from traditional to clean energy sources, but also about creating a comprehensive legislative system that encourages investment, provides incentives, ensures fairness, and achieves both energy and economic security. Safadi stressed the need to strengthen cooperation between the legislative and executive branches, and highlighted the importance of involving civil society, the private sector, universities, and research institutions to ensure realistic and actionable policy-making. He concluded by affirming that tackling climate change requires more than policies and intentions—it demands clear, flexible, and enforceable legislation that includes incentives and engages all sectors of society, especially youth and women. For his part, Talal Ghunaimat, Executive Director of the Jordanian Masarat Foundation, said that climate change is now closely linked to development crises and social justice, placing a greater responsibility on parliamentarians to understand these challenges and craft solutions rooted in human rights and dignity for vulnerable communities. Ghunaimat added that climate justice requires bold parliamentary discourse that challenges unfair policies and proposes empowering, equitable alternatives. A truly fair environmental future, he stressed, can only be achieved through effective political and social partnerships. Meanwhile, Dina Kasbi, Program Director at the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, stated that climate change has evolved into both a humanitarian and political issue, calling for an integrated legislative response. She added that strengthening the ability of parliamentarians to analyze environmental policies is one of the foundation's key areas of work, as it plays a crucial role in drafting just, responsive legislation. At the close of the first day of the workshop, Ghunaimat expressed gratitude to Speaker Safadi for his support, stating that the path to real environmental transformation does not lie in conferences or slogans alone—but in institutional action and partnerships with international allies, all in the pursuit of a future that leaves no one behind.
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Al Bawaba
AUS and UNDP partner to advance disability inclusion and climate-resilient development
Guided by a shared commitment to equity, accessibility and sustainable progress, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have initiated a strategic partnership to strengthen collaboration in research, policy and community engagement. On the sidelines of the 'Europe Walk for Climate Change in Brussels: Leaving No One Behind,' held on June 12 and led by UNDP Regional Goodwill Ambassador Michael Haddad, Dr. Mohamed El-Tarhuni, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost at AUS, and Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States in UNDP, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that marks the beginning of a collaboration aimed at advancing inclusive responses to development challenges.'Our partnership with UNDP represents a strategic step toward shaping more inclusive and sustainable futures,' said Dr. El-Tarhuni. 'By combining AUS' research and educational capacity with UNDP's global development expertise, we aim to drive innovation at the intersection of climate resilience, accessibility and policy—advancing real solutions that leave no one behind.''Aligned with the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy, UNDP is committed to promoting disability-inclusive development that protects the rights of persons with disabilities,' stressed Al Dardari. 'And while persons with disabilities are among the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change, not much research has been dedicated to understanding mechanisms through which such impacts materialize and how to address them. We hope this new partnership will fill this gap.'Through this agreement, AUS and UNDP will collaborate to explore the complex effects of climate change and crises on persons with disabilities, contributing to more effective, data-driven policymaking and to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The partnership will also emphasize community outreach and awareness to foster a culture of accessibility and promote community engagement in the co-creation of practical solutions that reflect lived experiences and local realities. This collaboration reinforces AUS' mission to serve society through knowledge, innovation and cross-sector engagement. It also affirms the university's expanding role as a regional and global hub for inclusive research, driving long-term development outcomes that benefit communities and individuals alike.
Jordan Times
09-06-2025
- Jordan Times
King delivers Jordan's address at 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference 09 June 2025
AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah delivered Jordan's address at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice on Monday. The week-long conference is co-hosted by France and Costa Rica, with hundreds of international leaders, officials, and experts attending from around the world, according to a Royal Court statement. In the address, His Majesty said that bodies of water are a vital shared resource, sustaining billions of lives. However, threats such as climate change, pollution, overexploitation and loss of biodiversity directly imperil them, with His Majesty emphasising that this is a critical moment in time for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. The King shared how Jordan has embraced science as a tool for transformation, noting that studies indicate that coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient in the face of extreme temperatures, which gives hope for their survival and makes them a unique laboratory that can help to save coral reefs around the world. During the speech, His Majesty announced the launch of Jordan's Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration, which will provide opportunities to test new technologies that can be scaled up for global use, the statement said . Following is the full text of the King's speech: 'In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful Monsieur le Président, President Chavez, Mr. Secretary-General, Your Excellencies, It is a pleasure to join you today. And let me express my deep appreciation to the United Nations, and to the co-hosts, France and Costa Rica. This is a critical moment for action on behalf of the world's oceans and seas. They are a vital shared resource—sustaining billions of lives. Yet threats like climate change, pollution, over-exploitation, and the loss of biodiversity, directly imperil them. My friends, Let me focus on one of the most critical concerns—the health of coral reefs worldwide. Coral reefs are a crucial first-line defence for blue biodiversity and stability. They protect coasts, support fisheries, and generate trillions of dollars of socio-economic value. Yet, in a single human lifetime, nearly two thirds of the world's coral reefs have been lost. Reversing this loss is imperative. In Jordan, we have embraced science as a tool for transformation. Studies show that corals in the Gulf of Aqaba are exceptionally resilient to extreme temperatures. And this offers hope for their survival—and makes them a unique laboratory to save reefs around the world. That is why I am pleased to announce Jordan's launch of the Aqaba Blue Ventures and Global Centre for Ocean Regeneration. This Centre will be a proving-ground for new technologies that are scalable for global use. A next-generation coral propagation farm is already active. And we have in place a large-scale 3D printer for reef restoration. In developing this project, we have benefited tremendously from our partnership with my friend Philippe Cousteau, and other international collaborators. We are working to provide a pioneering model of regenerative blue economy—one that can be replicated for coral reefs world-wide. These collaborations reflect the importance of joint efforts. Technology will not be enough. We need inclusive partnerships. Global innovators. Cutting-edge scientists. And most importantly, local communities who are deeply connected to the ocean. Their experience is vital to lasting stewardship. My friends, Jordan has long chosen the path of stewardship and healing, despite challenges in our part of the world. We have vital national priorities to improve the lives of Jordanians. Some may see ocean or climate policy unrelated to these goals. We, like so many of you, know better. When nations choose to protect nature—even amid hardships—they strengthen their own resilience. When collective action regenerates ecosystems, we create new opportunities for all to thrive. Now is the time to make nature-positive solutions a mainstream part of global investment. Let us protect our planet's beating blue heart—and ensure our oceans and our seas thrive for generations to come. Thank you very much.' The King is participating in the conference as part of Jordan's commitment to supporting initiatives related to environmental and sustainable development issues, as well as the Kingdom's efforts at the international level to promote sustainable management and preservation of shared natural resources. The conference presents an opportunity for Jordan to showcase its achievements as well as the challenges facing the Gulf of Aqaba's marine ecosystem, in addition to building partnerships and attracting investments to support preservation of the Kingdom's marine environment, and promoting investment in the blue economy.
