Project

Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan

Resources (3)
Project Document
Name Media Type Language Date
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (1996)
PDF English 30 May 2014
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan (1996)
PDF • English • 30 May 2014
Results Notes
Name Media Type Language Date
2011 Results Notes - Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan
PDF English 01 Jan 2016
2011 Results Notes - Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan
PDF • English • 01 Jan 2016
Terminal Evaluation
Name Media Type Language Date
Gulf of Aqaba - Terminal Evaluation
PDF English 13 Jul 2010
Gulf of Aqaba - Terminal Evaluation
PDF • English • 13 Jul 2010

Key Basin Project Results

1. Development of Regulatory and Institutional Framework: The Environment Department was fully integrated into Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), allowing Aqaba to become the only region in Jordan where a legalized Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system is enforced. Intensive preparatory work on a CZM framework paid off and the project showed that crossing institutional borders through having different ministries and organizations participate together in training and capacity building activities can enhance overall implementation effectiveness. 2. Oil spill risk minimization and waste oil recovery: During implementation, project staff initiated a dialogue with three major producers of waste oil to tackle the issue of land based oil recovery. Not only was the dialogue successful in leading to group consensus on the issue, but a national oil refinery agreed to accept and pay JD35/ton for the recovered waste oil, thereby eliminating a source of pollution. The project demonstrated that well designed cost recovery mechanisms with strong enforcement can help to ensure financial sustainability. The Port Authority has also upgraded all its facilities into environmental compliance under the new ASEZA laws, a notable achievement. 3. Development and Implementation of the Jordanian Marine Park: Zoning and infrastructure of marine park facilities have been completed, including: 4 jetties (2 funded by the project), terrestrial demarcation, toilet and shower facilities, umbrellas, parking, camping grounds, ranger posts, and first-aid station. The Visitor Center (photo above) has been completed, including multi-media equipment, interpretation and public awareness activities.

Catalytic Impacts

The project has catalyzed efforts by other donors, such as the USAID MERC project, which is based on operational capacity buwlt by the project. A joint Jordanian and Israeli sea monitoring program is being devised under the USAID MERC project.

Results Indicators

Municipal wastewater pollution reduction

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1D. Development of an lntegrated Marine and Land-Based Transboundary Solid Waste Management Strategy: During the February 2000 mission, this component was reassessed to take account of a ARA decision to take the solid waste management function back from the private sector and hand it to the municipality. Given GTZ's readiness to provide TA and equipment, it was agreed that the component would be carried out by GTZ with GTZ funding. The budget for the component ($30,000 for equipment and $90,000 for training) was reallocated to the Visitor Center.
Industrial wastewater pollution reduction

[see desc]

The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ports Authority and ASEZA, defining responsibilities for oil spill response and legal measures as well as outlining preventive measures for chemical oil spill prevention, has been signed. The Port Authority has upgraded all its facilities into environmental compliance under the new ASEZA laws, a notable achievement. INDICATOR #1: Oil Spill measures and Waste oil recovery The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ports Authority and ASEZA has been signed, and demonstration actions for waste oil recovery underway
Restored habitat, including wetlands

[see desc]

The mandate to protect the marine environment has been clearly established under the Environmental Protection By-Law (Arts. 52-64). The annual Marine Park Management Plan is updated on a regular basis and being implemented. Response of the Aqaba community to the Marine Park Beach has been very positive, as demonstrated by the exemplary usage of the beach, particularly on weekend days, and respect for the coral reef and fishes. INDICATOR #2: Protections of coral reefs Staff in place, boundaries defined, management plan completed, policing and enforcement actions in place
Conserved/protected wetland, MPAs, and fish refugia habitat

[see desc]

E. Protection of Globally lmportant Coral Reefs - Development and Implemnentation of the Jordanian Marine Park (§): The mandate to protect the marine environment has been clearly established under the Environmnental Protection By-Law (Arts. 52-64). On January 30, 2001, the Cabinet approved Marine Park By-Law No. 22 for the Year 2001. Art. 5 of this By-Law, calling for the establishment of an "Aqaba Marine Park Committee " (which includes representation of diverse stakeholder groups), has been implemented. The conmmittee, which is responsible for administering the Park under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Environmental Affairs, is fully operational. The annual Marine Park Management Plan is updated on a regular basis. The last update, under the project, was finalized and subsequently adopted by ASEZA Board, pursuant to Art. 5 of the Marine Park By-Law. The Marine Park By-Law gives general enforcement powers to Park employees, public security forces and coastal policemen, with delineation of specific powers and procedures to be set forth in an instruction that is to be approved by the ASEZA Board. Zoning and infrastructure of marine park facilities have been completed, including: 4 jetties (2 funded by the project), terrestrial demarcation, toilet and shower facilities, umbrellas, parking, camping grounds, ranger posts, and first-aid station. ASEZA has constructed one additional jetty in the El Morjan beach area to provide access to bathers without damaging coral reefs. Construction has also been completed of additional toilet facilities, camping and parking demarcation and sun shades south of the of the Visitor Center as an ASEZA contribution. The Visitor Center has been completed, including multi-media equipment, interpretation and public awareness activities. The implementation of the landscaping of the surrounding area, funded by ASEZA, is to be completed by end 2002. Rangers training and hiring is completed. The Marine Park Management Plan has been updated and subsequently adopted by ASEZA's Board. The Arabic version has been updated accordingly and its fundamental principles and supporting regulations are disseminated widely through public relations materials. The Public Awareness Specialist has been recruited as an ASEZA staff. All Marine Park brochures have been finalized and printed in Arabic and English.
Aquifer recharge area protection

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C. Safeguarding, Transboundary Groundwater Resources (SQ: This component has been completed satisfactorily in conjunction with the monitoring committee and within the project's limits and is catalyzing larger scale efforts based on operational capacity built by the project. As a result of the groundwater study's recommendation of need for further data collection for planning purpose, ASEZA has acquired the Visual MODFLOW software to model availability of groundwater resources and carry out short and long-term simulations using various water demand scenarios. A consultant assisted in the calibration of the model and with additional essential fieldwork and data collection on the groundwater aquifer. The data collection report and the modeling exercise was completed. The model will serve to assess the annual yield of the aquifer as well as to simulate the path lines of pollution into the Gulf. It will also assist in tracing the sources of pollution in the groundwater aquifers.
Regional legal agreements and cooperation frameworks

NAP

Regional Cooperation efforts are another exemplary result of the project, especially in the light of the political circumstances. Active participation in the Red Sea Marine Peace Park Steering Committee meetings continues. ASEZA has been confirmed as Jordan's official representative to PERSGA and has already been recognized as a leader in carrying out the PERSGA agenda, having been instrumental in increasing regional cooperation and information exchange.
National/Local reforms

YES

A. Development of Regulatorv and Institutional Framework CES2: The project's achievement in this component has exceeded expectations. It has had an enormous development impact and plays an essential role in ensuring project sustainability. The Environment Department created under the project and all of its staff were fully integrated into ASEZA. It provided staff (including of: the project; ASEZA/former ARA; Port Authority; MSS; Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Tourism; NGOs; local industries, fishermen, etc.) essential training and experience that enabled the set-up, running, and institutional mainstreaming of an exemplary Environment Commission- setting up a precedent for the country. Chief amongst the achievements is the fact that he Aqaba region, under ASEZA, is the only region in Jordan where a legalized Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) system is enforced (EIAs have yet to be a requirement at the national level in Jordan). It also enabled the establishment and implementation of the Marine Park as well as other activities on the ground. Two directorates, established within the Environment Commission of ASEZA, are fully operational: the Directorate of Environmental Planning and the Directorate of Environmental Supervision and Enforcement. The Directorate of Environmental Planning incorporates, among others, the environmental impact assessment, environmental inspection and auditing, and industrial pollution prevention standard-setting functions of the Project. The Directorate of Environmental Supervision and Enforcement includes divisions addressing public awareness, coastal policing and enforcement, marine pollution prevention and response, and marine park management - all central elements of the GAEAP. With regard to regulatory capacity-building, key Project elements (e.g. environmental impact assessment and environmental auditing procedures) have been fully incorporated into binding ASEZA legislation. Other elements (e.g. coastal zone management, marine park management, marine vessel pollution prevention, industrial pollution prevention) are generally mandated, with specific implementing provisions to be adopted through subsequent regulations.

Information sources

IWC6 Results Note (2011), World Bank Terminal Evaluation (2002)

The Red Sea, which contains globally unique ecosystems and biodiversity, is threatened with serious degradation as a result of pollution, physical destruction and unsustainable exploitation of marine and coastal natural resources. The primary environmental "hot spot" of the region, the Gulf of Aqaba, is threatened by significant recent and planned developments that are leading to transboundary degradation of Red Sea ecosystems. As a result of its semi-enclosed nature, the Gulf of Aqaba is particularly susceptible to marine pollution and ecosystem degradation. Development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy and plan for environmental protection of the entire Red Sea will require a considerable gestation period. A framework for collaboration and cooperation among the littoral nations must be established, one which would demonstrate its replicability for integrated management and development of Red Sea natural resources appropriate for the region.

Links with Regional Strategic Work.

The proposed project would address priority threats to the international waters of the Gulf of Aqaba and Red Sea in a comprehensive manner. It would facilitate development of an approach to halt and prevent marine pollution, and protect globally important coral reefs throughout the Red Sea area. As the primary "hot spot" activity it represents, this project is being prepared in parallel to the recently GEF-approved Strategic Action Programme for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Region, which supports the Programme on the Environment of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA). The proposed project would also contribute to operationalsing the Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Environment (Jeddah Convention). The project complements ongoing and planned GEF projects which address broad development impacts on the Red Sea.

These include:

  • (a) Egypt Red Sea Coastal Zone Management, focusing primarily on tourism impacts; and
  • (b) Yemen Marine Ecosystem Protection, targeted primarily at environmental monitoring and mitigation of oil-based pollution activities.

Other current efforts designed to facilitate regional environmental cooperation between Red Sea littoral states at a policy level include United Nations Environmental Protection Agency's (UNEP) ongoing Regional Seas Programme and the recent signing by Jordan of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78). In addition, coordination with the Bank's program in the region - including the Egypt Private Sector Tourism Project, the proposed Jordan Second Tourism Project, the proposed Jordan Aqaba Thermal Power II Project, and the Rift Valley exercise -is ongoing. The proposed Aqaba program would provide an important sub-regional activity and an essential complement to ongoing activities, catalysing the development of a more comprehensive and coherent system of resources management and ecosystem protection for the entire Red Sea region. National and Regional Actions in the Gulf.

In November 1991, the Jordanian Government requested that a proposal for a regional Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan be submitted to the GEF participants. The Jordanian Government asked the Bank to facilitate the preparation of the proposed Aqaba program. Subsequently, a World Bank mission assisted the Government in preparing a framework for an environmental action plan for the Jordanian portion of the Gulf of Aqaba. In May 1992, the Government of Jordan (GOJ) presented the framework for a proposed Environmental Action Plan to the Multilateral Working Group on Environment of the Middle East Peace Process (WGE), in Tokyo. In October 1993, the Government of Jordan, with GEF and World Bank assistance, prepared the "Gulf of Aqaba Environmental Action Plan, Jordan" (GAEAP). The Plan was presented at the 4th meeting of the WGE in Cairo, in November 1993.

The project has been upgraded to satisfactory status following good progress on the agreed action plan. Project implementation is now satisfactory. Mainstreaming with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) has been positive thus far. Coordination with GTZ and USAID continues. The project has been extended a second time to 12/31/01.

Project Category

Land-Based Sources/Coastal Zone

Country

Jordan

Waterbodies

Red Sea (LME)

Budget

USD 12,672,500

Total Cost of the project

USD 2,700,000

GEF Allocation to project

Partners

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (WB)

The main focus is on helping the poorest people and the poorest countries, but for all its clients the Bank emphasizes the need for:Investing in people, particularly through basic health and educationFocusing on social development, inclusion, governance, and institution-building as key elements of poverty reduction Strengthening the ability of the governments to deliver quality services, efficiently and transparently Protecting the environment Supporting and encouraging private business developmentPromoting reforms to create a stable macroeconomic environment, conducive to investment and long-term planning.

Aqaba Region Authority

The historic city of Aqaba, with the only port in Jordan, is located on the Gulfof Aqaba leading to the Red Sea. The Aqaba Special Economic Zone is a keypart of the Government of Jordan's aggressive reform strategy to provide investorswith an attractive business environment and a competitive base within theglobal economy.

Contacts

Bilal Al Bashir

Project Manager

Nicole Glineur

Senior Environmental Specialist/Task Team Leader

GEF ID

72

Status

closed

Website

Go to Website

GEF Agency

International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (WB)

Focal Area

International Waters

Project Type

Full-Size Project

Start Date

13 Jun, 1996

End Date

30 Jun, 2002

Last Update

06 Mar, 2018