Amman: A regional workshop focused on assessing the state of coastal wetlands in the Arabian Peninsula commenced in Amman on Monday. The event, organized by BirdLife International-Middle East in collaboration with the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), saw participation from representatives of GCC states, Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, and various international and regional environmental organizations.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop was opened under the patronage of Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman, who highlighted the critical role of coastal wetlands as natural assets and key components for biodiversity and climate change resilience. Suleiman emphasized their importance as natural barriers against coastal erosion and storms, as well as their functions in water purification, carbon storage, and supporting fisheries that sustain thousands of livelihoods.
Suleiman also reaffirmed Jordan’s dedication to fulfilling its international commitments under agreements such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on Migratory Species, and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. He stressed the necessity of urgent regional and international cooperation to address ecosystem degradation and restore affected areas.
BirdLife Middle East Regional Director Ibrahim Khader stated that the initiative marks a unified regional approach to addressing common environmental challenges. He noted the importance of integrated coastal zone management in balancing economic and social development with environmental priorities, ensuring that local communities are actively involved in devising sustainable solutions.
RSCN Director-General Fadi Nasser emphasized that the workshop offers a strategic platform for exchanging expertise and creating a joint regional action plan that takes into account the specific circumstances of each country. He reiterated the society’s dedication to enhancing regional and international cooperation in this field.
IUCN West Asia Regional Director Hani Al-Shaer highlighted the global significance of wetlands, particularly coastal ones, as some of the most productive ecosystems. They provide essential habitats for birds and fish, store blue carbon, and contribute to disaster risk reduction, with an estimated annual economic and social value exceeding $47.4 trillion. He noted that the workshop is a crucial step in bolstering scientific understanding of wetland conditions in the Arabian Peninsula and developing effective regional coordination mechanisms for their protection.
The coastal wetlands in the peninsula span extensive areas across Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. They encompass diverse ecosystems such as mudflats, mangroves, seagrass beds, salt marshes, deltaic wetlands, river estuaries, and coral reefs. These environments support over 300 migratory bird species along global flyways but face rapid decline due to factors like unregulated urban expansion, industrial pollution, and climate change impacts, including sea level rise and rising temperatures. In some locations, waterbird populations have decreased by over 80 percent.
The two-day workshop, concluding on Tuesday, is part of a BirdLife International regional strategy to conduct a comprehensive assessment of coastal wetlands, document their biodiversity, and monitor key threats. The aim is to prepare protection and restoration plans targeting the most vulnerable areas.