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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Minister of Environment Yassin Al-Khayyat and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Barton J. Putney, signed an agreement on a work program for technical environmental cooperation for the years 2018-2021.

The agreement comes in implementation of the free trade agreement signed between the two countries to protect the Kingdom's environment simultaneous with promoting sustainable development.

Al-Khayyat said the agreement aims to bolster protection of Jordan's environment through launching environmental technical cooperation initiatives, taking into consideration environment-driven priorities, which are agreed upon by the governments of the two friendly countries.

The accord contained prospects to boost capacity of institutions and to promote policies for the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, especially fighting the illicit trade in environmentally sensitive goods, protecting wildlife and sustainable management of ecosystems and natural resources, fostering the adoption of innovative environmental management practices, boosting environmental education, awareness, transparency and public participation in environmental decision-making.

In his speech, Al-Khayyat reviewed rigorous environmental challenges facing this sector in the Kingdom, including water scarcity, desertification, waste management of all kinds, loss of biodiversity and land degradation, in addition to the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on the Jordanian environment.

He also highlighted achievements made by Jordan in the eco-preservation field and thanked the U.S. side for continued support to Jordan and to its assistance in efforts to preserve and sustain environmental diversity.

In turn, the U.S. official lauded the distinguished bilateral relations and reiterated the continued support of the United States to Jordan, which contributes to preservation of environment in the Kingdom.