SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — His Majesty King Abdullah
on Monday said that with its track record of successful, climate
change-responsive projects, Jordan is keen to serve as a regional hub for green
growth, according to a Royal Court statement.
اضافة اعلان
Delivering Jordan’s address at the UN Climate Change
Conference (COP27), hosted by Egypt, King Abdullah said Jordan is working with
Egypt, Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, among others, to increase the
entire region’s climate resilience.
His Majesty added that Jordan offers a wide array of
opportunities for investment in climate-smart initiatives, such as green
infrastructure, electric mobility, agriculture, and other sectors.
The King noted that Jordan has put forward the
Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative, which prioritizes support for host countries
bearing the brunt of climate change, and invited participating countries to
endorse this initiative.
Following is the full text of His Majesty’s speech:
“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
My brother, Mr President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi
Mr Secretary General,
Mr President,
My friends:
It is my pleasure to begin by thanking my brother Mr
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and the people and government of the Arab
Republic of Egypt, for the warm welcome and for hosting this important global
summit.
Our meetings here carry forward 30 years of progress in the
fight against climate change. Consensus has grown; goals have been set; yet,
the lethal dangers have been growing even faster. Every country is paying the
price, and especially so, in the developing world.
COP27 now has an urgent task — to kick-start a new level of
climate action, transformative action, that can achieve tangible results, faster
and more effectively.
This is Jordan's commitment. Climate change is no stranger
to us. We share similar climate threats with our entire region. Our rainfall
average has dropped by almost half its levels over the past five decades, while
the water share per capita fell by nearly 80 per cent. The Dead Sea water
levels are declining by 3 feet (1 meter) per year. Just around 7 per cent of
the water now flows in the Jordan River, compared to its historic average.
Oases with rich biodiversity have disappeared within a few decades, while
climate change and zero sum policies are raising concern for the future of the
Nile and the historic rivers of Mesopotamia.
In Jordan’s case, rising temperatures and water scarcity
have put heavy pressure on our limited resources — resources strained further
by an unnatural population growth driven by the massive influx of refugees.
The UN has recognized that global refugees and their hosts
are among the most vulnerable to climate change. To address this crisis, Jordan
has put forward a Climate/Refugee Nexus Initiative. It will priorities support
for host countries that bear the brunt of climate change. Join us in endorsing
this initiative.
My friends,
Destructive climate change does not have to define our
future. Today we have more expert knowledge, better practical tools, and more
targeted approaches than ever before. The opportunities are immense, if we will
grasp them. Let me briefly touch on two important drivers of success.
First is close integration between climate-change action and
economic development. This holistic approach reflects a basic reality — in the
21st century, sustainable economic development requires green resources and
practices, and in turn, a greener world must provide for the aspirations of the
world's people.
In the fight for life on Earth, no one is a bystander; every contribution counts.
We are starting to find solutions in renewable energy, water
desalination, advanced irrigation technologies, and shifting to electric modes
of transportation.
Today, Jordan's green recovery program goes hand in hand
with our Economic Modernization Vision. We are making the most of our country's
significant solar and wind resources. Jordan is a leader in the region in clean
energy production, with 29 per cent of electricity powered by renewables, and
we plan to reach 50 per cent by 2030. In the meantime, Jordan has boosted our
contribution to greenhouse gas reduction, to double our 2030 goal. And across
our economy, green-focused partnerships are set to create new jobs, for a
future of hope.
This brings me to a second driver of successful climate action
— strong collaborations at the global and regional levels, as well as between
public and private sectors, in order to target opportunities and match up
resources and capabilities. One critical area is financing for developing
countries to mitigate climate damage and adapt to its impact.
Jordan, with a track record of successful,
climate-responsive projects, is keen to serve as a regional hub for green
growth. We are working in partnership with Egypt, Iraq, the UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Bahrain, and others to strengthen our entire region. In Jordan itself, we offer
a wide array of opportunities for investment in climate-smart initiatives:
green infrastructure, electric mobility, agriculture and other sectors. We have
joined with the UAE in Project Prosperity that will expand clean energy and
water. Another innovative project is taking place at Aqaba's Marine Nature
Reserve, where we and international partners will be helping find solutions to
ocean climate crises far beyond our shores.
And let me mention one more cause close to Jordan's heart —
the urgent call to help save World Heritage Sites endangered by climate change.
The Dead Sea and the sacred Jordan River are treasures of the past and legacies
for our future. Our generation must not be the broken link.
My friends,
Good or bad, the world's climate is indivisible; so must we
be. In the fight for life on Earth, no one is a bystander; every contribution
counts. COP27 has brought us together, to link forces and stand our ground.
We are at the beginning of a long, challenging, and urgent
transformation. There may be difficult choices to make, but we need to make
them while we can. Let's do so together, as a region and as an international
community, and achieve the green, resilient and just world our people deserve.
Thank you.”
The conference, launched by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah
El-Sisi, continues until November 18, with the participation of leaders and
heads of delegations from around the world.
The Jordanian delegation included Deputy Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar
Hassan.
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