The Jordan Minister of Energy, his Excellency Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, commended the efforts by AES and IUCN to target local communities in the development of a natural resource conservation strategy and encouraged other business and institutions to follow suit.

“The significance of this project lies in the involvement of stakeholders and the implementation of small initiatives based on needs’ assessment and prioritization,” says Dr. Al-Kharabsheh.

The Chief Executive Officer of AES Jordan Meftaur Rahman said, “The agreement with IUCN gives us an unprecedented opportunity to connect and communicate with the local community and we look forward to building rapport with all stakeholders. The one-year project focuses on dialogue and continuous engagement to enhance decision making. I am confident the input we receive from our stakeholders will help sustain a greatly improved relationship between us."

From his side, the Regional Director of IUCN ROWA Fadi Shraideh reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to the development of local communities in the region, saying: “This is one of many projects that IUCN is implementing in the West Asia region aimed at addressing various challenges pertaining to environment, and human development. It also confirms IUCN’s progressive approach in establishing partnerships with all concerned bodies, including the private sector.”

The “Stakeholders’ engagement and natural resources assessment for AES in East Amman” project seeks to achieve the global environmental standards through stakeholders’ engagement and capacity building; natural resources assessment and socioeconomic assessment; development of an agreed local natural resources conservation strategy; implementation of nature-based solutions based on the strategy and the stakeholders’ priorities; and, documentation of the learning process that will help in the replication and upscaling of the project.

Background information:

About AES Jordan

The AES Corporation is a Fortune 200 global power company. It provides affordable, sustainable energy to 17 countries through their diverse portfolio of distribution businesses as well as thermal and renewable generation facilities. AES Levant Holdings BV is a subsidiary of AES Corporation incorporated in Jordan in joint venture with Mitsui Corporation of Japan. AES Jordan strives to reduce the country’s reliance on imported oil and achieve a more sustainable energy balance.

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organisations and the input of more than 16,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

www.iucn.org/westsia