Ammon News - The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Saturday celebrates the inscription of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List, following the formal adoption of the decision by the World Heritage Committee during its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea.

The Committee inscribed the Reserve under natural World Heritage criteria (ix) and (x), recognizing its outstanding processes, exceptional marine biodiversity and globally significant contribution to the conservation of threatened marine species and ecosystems.

According to a statement released by Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the inscription represents an "international recognition" of one of the northern Red Sea’s most exceptional marine ecosystems and highlights the growing global importance of climate-resilient coral reefs at a time when marine environments worldwide are facing unprecedented environmental pressures.

This landmark achievement is in line with ongoing efforts undertaken upon the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II and with the continued support and follow-up of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, to safeguard Jordan’s natural heritage and advance environmental sustainability as a national priority.

It is also the result of the collective efforts of the Government of Jordan, ASEZA, national institutions, scientists, local communities and international development partners over several years.

ASEZA Chief Commissioner Shadi Al Majali stressed the importance of this milestone. "The inscription of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List is a source of immense honor for Jordan and a recognition of the Kingdom’s leadership in protecting a marine ecosystem of global importance.

"Guided by His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision, Jordan accepts this recognition with pride, humility and with a renewed commitment to preserving the Reserve’s Outstanding Universal Value for future generations," he pointed out.

Located at the northernmost tip of the Red Sea, the Aqaba Marine Reserve protects an exceptional mosaic of coral reefs, mesophotic reefs and seagrass habitats. Its coral reefs are internationally recognized for their exceptional thermal resilience, while the Reserve is home to more than 150 species of hard corals, over 500 fish species and approximately 1,000 species of molluscs, including numerous endemic and threatened species.

"World Heritage inscription is not the conclusion of Jordan’s efforts; it is the beginning of an even strengthened, long-term commitment to protecting this globally significant site," Al Majali added.

He also noted Jordan reaffirms its "full" commitment to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention and to implementing the decision and recommendations of the World Heritage Committee.

Through ASEZA and its partners, he stated Jordan will continue to strengthen the Reserve’s legal protection, management, scientific research, ecological monitoring and responsible visitor management, as well as community engagement.

As for future policy, he stated "priority" actions will focus on implementing the Second Aqaba Marine Reserve Integrated Management Plan (2027–2030), and strengthening long-term environmental monitoring of water quality, pollution, desalination discharge, sea temperature, salinity, turbidity, sedimentation, underwater light, and underwater noise to safeguard the site's Outstanding Universal Value.

Jordan also welcomes the Committee’s emphasis on enhanced regional cooperation and will continue working with regional and international partners to strengthen conservation of the Gulf of Aqaba and the wider Red Sea, while exploring future opportunities for coordinated transboundary protection, he remarked.

Additionally, he noted Jordan's government expresses its sincere appreciation to the World Heritage Committee, UNESCO and its World Heritage Centre, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Republic of Korea as host of the 48th session, and all national, regional and international institutions, experts, and partners whose contributions supported the nomination and evaluation process.

Jordan, he said, dedicates this achievement to its people and to the international community, reaffirming that the Aqaba Marine Reserve is both a national treasure and a shared natural heritage of humanity.