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Coral Reefs Conservation and Blue Economy – Jordan

This project is funded by UNDP Jordan with key technical tasks assigned to IUCN ROWA. the project targets three priority coral reef sites in Aqaba: the Aqaba Marine Reserve, the Northern Deep Corals, and the Southern Industrial Site. 

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AlUla Protected Areas Network (APAN) Biodiversity Conservation & Ecosystem Management for Iraqi Marshlands Coral Reefs Conservation and Blue Economy – Jordan Effective Management of King Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve (KARNR) Effective Management of King Salman Royal Nature Reserve Effective management of Wadi El-Rayan and Qarun protected areas Enhancing climate Resilience for Biodiversity Hotspots in Jordan Establishment of Yanbu Birds Observatory Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAS) in the United Arab Emirates Initial Steps for the Establishment of the National Protected Areas Network Khor Al Adaid Nature Reserve Market policy and legislative Development for mainstreaming sustainable management of marine and coastal ecosystems in Lebanon Mediterranean Experience of Eco-Tourism (MEET) Monitoring and Documentation of Biodiversity in Kuwait Nurturing capacity to engage in Biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Mediterranean Protected Areas Network Review for Palestine Strengthening NCW in Biodiversity conservation and PAN development Supporting the Operation and Effective Performance Management of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, Jordan Towards Sustainable Management of the Mujib River Basin World Heritage Sites in Arab Countries
IUCN ROWA

Project location: Aqaba, Jordan

Project duration: 9 Months

Donor: UNDP Jordan through the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR)

National Partner: Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA)

 

The project has two main objectives:

  • Generate ecological and socio-economic baselines, assess coral reef climate refugia, and strengthen existing monitoring systems through field training and citizen science.

  • Quantify the economic value of reef ecosystem services and translate findings into actionable financing mechanisms and a roadmap to a business plan for the long-term management of the Aqaba Marine Reserve.

     

Project achievements to date:

1. Gender-Sensitive Ecological and Socio-Economic Baseline report covering the key drivers of coral reef resilience and degradation across the three priority sites. It includes reef maps and inventory, characteristics of climate-resilient reef systems, carrying capacities, and determinants of reef health and recovery. The report integrates ecological survey findings on live hard coral cover, macroalgae and other benthic groups, and reef fish biomass.

2.  Coral Reefs as Climate Refugia and Biodiversity Habitats Report, drawing on the monitoring data from three sources: the Marine Science Station's national monitoring program, ASEZA, and the Aqaba Marine Reserve. Combined with a synthesis of scientific literature and data generated through the programme's own ecological and social assessments, it provides evidence that Jordan's coral reefs are among the most climate-resilient in the Red Sea.

3. Financing Options Report, assessing the viability of a range of financing mechanisms for coral reef conservation in the Gulf of Aqaba. Grounded in desk reviews, stakeholder interviews, workshops, and technical analyses, it identifies gaps and opportunities for ASEZA to maximize financing in Aqaba and lays the groundwork for the Aqaba Marine Reserve Business Plan in the next project phase.