Aqaba hosted the Aqaba Beach Cleaning Campaign 2026 on Tuesday, under the slogan "The Wave Continues," with the participation of government and international entities, students, volunteers, and members of the local community, aiming to enhance environmental awareness and protect the marine environment in the Aqaba Gulf.
The campaign was organized by Oxfam in Jordan, as part of the Solid Waste Management Services Project in the Zaatari and Azraq camps and the surrounding host communities, funded by the European Union, in collaboration with the European Regional Cooperation Program for the Mediterranean Basin, and in cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, the Aqaba Marine Reserve, the Directorate of Education, and the United Nations Development Program in Jordan.
The maritime activities were implemented by the Naval Force, Royal Dinghies, the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate and its diving teams, alongside schools, students, local associations, and volunteers, contributing to the organized and safe execution of the events.
Dr. Nidal Al-Awar, Commissioner for Environmental Affairs and Public Safety at the Authority, emphasized the importance of long-term partnerships with international organizations and development institutions, noting the continuation of work with Oxfam to develop projects that enhance solid waste management and support the national campaign to reduce indiscriminate waste disposal and promote sound environmental practices.
Dimitri Medvedev, Director of Oxfam in Jordan, said that protecting the marine environment requires continuous work, active partnerships, and community participation, explaining that the "The Wave Continues" campaign aims to transform environmental awareness into tangible action and enhance responsible practices in waste management.
Dr. Ismat Karadsheh, Coordinator of the Regional Cooperation Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in the (Interreg NEXT MED) program, highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in supporting sustainable development and addressing common environmental challenges, noting that the program currently supports 59 projects worth 120 million euros, with the participation of about 500 organizations.
Randa Abu Al-Hassan, UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, confirmed that the program's participation in the campaign reflects its commitment to transforming the concept of the circular economy into a practical reality, through the principles of (9Rs) and the establishment of the Creative Circular Economy Center, funded by the European Union, contributing to the provision of green jobs and the protection of natural resources in Aqaba.
The campaign included an awareness session on plastic pollution and the impact of cigarette butts on the environment, a presentation of previous campaigns to clean the seabed as part of the Blue Team initiative, the planting of 30 trees and the distribution of gardening tools, the installation of 12 waste containers, and the implementation of the "Draw Your Project Idea" activity to propose innovative solutions to reduce the impact of cigarette butts.
The campaign's slogan, "The Wave Continues," reflects the importance of continuing environmental work and transforming awareness into daily practices that contribute to preserving the marine environment and the resources of the Aqaba Gulf for future generations.
