Amman: Minister of Environment Ayman Suleiman said on Thursday that keeping pace with updates to environmental management systems and implementing international standards are essential to enhancing the efficiency of national institutions and advancing sustainable development.
According to Jordan News Agency, Suleiman emphasized at a national workshop on the upcoming ISO 14001:2026 Environmental Management Systems standard that the Ministry of Environment remains committed to building national capacities and strengthening partnerships with both the public and private sectors. This commitment aims to promote environmental compliance and continuous improvement, aligning with Jordan's Economic Modernization Vision and the nation's sustainability and climate priorities.
The workshop, organized by Ithmar Foundation for Development and Training in collaboration with Global Standards, convened representatives from government institutions, the private sector, and environmental management experts. Suleiman highlighted that investing in the development of national expertise and knowledge transfer is crucial for enhancing the environmental performance of institutions, allowing them to stay abreast of global developments and improve their competitiveness and compliance with international environmental standards.
He also lauded Ithmar Foundation and Global Standards for organizing the event and commended participants for their active engagement and dedication to expanding their expertise in environmental management. The workshop centered on the anticipated updates to the ISO 14001:2026 standard, which serves as the world's leading framework for environmental management systems. It aimed to prepare organizations for transitioning to the new edition while ensuring continued compliance, improved environmental performance, and increased competitiveness for Jordanian institutions at local, regional, and international levels.
Technical sessions addressed global developments in environmental management systems, key changes introduced in the new standard, transition requirements, and implementation mechanisms. They also covered the integration of climate change considerations and environmental risk management into management systems, along with international best practices and challenges organizations may face during the transition.
The event featured 35 employees from the Ministry of Environment representing various technical and administrative departments, along with representatives from 20 Jordanian industrial companies certified under ISO 14001, highlighting the workshop's role as a national platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration between government agencies and the industrial sector.
At the workshop's conclusion, Suleiman awarded LSQA USA-accredited certificates to participants, acknowledging their successful completion of the training. He emphasized the importance of continuing such specialized programs to enhance the capabilities of Jordanian professionals, improve institutional environmental performance, and strengthen sustainability and compliance with international standards.
In partnership with Ithmar Foundation for Development and Training and Global Standards, the Ministry of Environment announced a series of specialized training programs under the ministry's umbrella covering both ISO 14001 and ISO 14064 standards. This initiative aims to equip engineers and companies with the skills to implement international best practices in environmental management while building expertise in ISO 14064, the international standard for greenhouse gas emissions quantification, reporting, and verification. The programs are designed to enhance transparency, support institutions in reducing their carbon footprint, ensure compliance with international requirements, and improve their competitiveness in domestic and global markets.