As part of the joint initiative by the ministries of environment and agriculture to plant 10 million trees throughout the kingdom over the next decade, Jordan Kuwait Bank signed a cooperation agreement with the ministries to carry out afforestation works over an area of 500 dunums in the Ghreisa area of Zarqa Governorate, Hashmiya District. The agreement serves to strengthen the partnership between public and private sector institutions.
Signed on Sunday, July 21, by the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Jordan Kuwait Bank, the agreement entails joint funding from the Ministry of Environment's Environmental Protection Fund and Jordan Kuwait Bank, with the Ministry of Agriculture being responsible for executing and maintaining the site for five years. The agreement aligns with the royal vision of bolstering green areas throughout Jordan, enhancing the kingdom’s resilience to climate change, and reducing the impact on the environment throughout the region.
The Minister of Environment, H.E. Dr. Muawieh Radaideh, emphasized the ministry's crucial role in the national effort to expand green areas. This includes the national afforestation project launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, which also supports other royal objectives, such as providing suitable recreational areas for citizens, promoting safety and sustainability, and raising awareness on these issues within the community. The minister also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships, reflecting the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH the Crown Prince, which encompass environmental, economic, and social dimensions. He thanked Jordan Kuwait Bank for fulfilling its social responsibility and participating in funding this pioneering project.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Agriculture, H.E. Eng. Khaled Al-Henefat, stated that this agreement strengthens the principle of public-private partnerships and aligns with the national strategy for sustainable agriculture. The initiative, he explained, will significantly accelerate the expansion of green areas for the benefit of communities throughout Jordan, particularly in governorates with low rainfall and urban characteristics.
Al-Henefat also noted that the sustainable agriculture strategy, which has led to the establishment of several forests and the use of water-saving cocoon technology, also includes partnerships to use water from companies for expanding forest plantations and developing nurseries to support various initiatives and afforestation plans. He explained that this project would create job opportunities for the local community and confirmed the sustainability of partnerships with the private sector to unify governmental efforts in implementing afforestation plans and strategies.
Haethum Buttikhi, CEO of Jordan Kuwait Bank, emphasized that financing this environmental project is both a national duty and a collaborative effort to promote sustainability and expand green spaces throughout Jordan. He stated that this initiative aligns with the bank's corporate responsibility and sustainability strategy, demonstrating their commitment to actively address environmental challenges facing the country.
Buttikhi highlighted the bank's recognition of climate change as one of the most pressing global issues of the 21st century, acknowledging its significant impact on both environmental health and human well-being. By supporting this project, the bank aims to contribute meaningfully to the expansion of green areas and the mitigation of environmental concerns in Jordan.
Buttikhi added that this project embodies the bank's commitment to community and sustainable development, reflecting its core and consistent values and contributing to strengthening its connection with the local Jordanian community. He praised the ministries of environment and agriculture for their diligent and sustainable efforts to build Jordan’s green future by helping to mitigate climate change and reduce environmental pollution.
