Aqaba:The coastal city of Aqaba hosted the 2026 Beach Cleanup Campaign under the slogan “The Wave Continues,” bringing together governmental bodies, international organizations, students, and community volunteers to safeguard the marine ecosystem in the Gulf of Aqaba.
According to Jordan News Agency, the campaign was organized by Oxfam in Jordan under a project focused on providing solid waste management services in the Zaatari and Azraq camps and surrounding host communities. This initiative, funded by the European Union, saw participation from the European Regional Cooperation Programme for the Mediterranean Basin (Interreg NEXT MED) and cooperation with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Marine Reserve, the Directorate of Education, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan.
Activities during the campaign included marine operations carried out by the Royal Naval Force and Royal Boats Command, along with the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate and its diving teams. Schools, students, local associations, and volunteers also contributed to the organized and safe execution of the events.
Commissioner for Environment and Public Safety Affairs at ASEZA, Nedal Al Ouran, emphasized the significance of long-term partnerships with international organizations and development institutions. He noted the ongoing collaboration with Oxfam to enhance solid waste management and support the national campaign to reduce indiscriminate waste dumping and promote sound environmental practices.
Oxfam Country Director in Jordan, Dmitry Medlev, highlighted the necessity of continuous efforts, effective partnerships, and community involvement in protecting the marine environment. He explained that the “The Wave Continues” campaign aims to turn environmental awareness into tangible action and encourage responsible waste management practices.
Ismat Karadsheh, Coordinator of the Eastern Mediterranean Regional Cooperation Office at Interreg NEXT MED, underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation in supporting sustainable development and addressing shared environmental challenges. The program currently supports 59 projects worth 120 million euros, involving approximately 500 organizations.
UNDP Resident Representative in Jordan, Randa Abu Al-Hassan, affirmed that the program’s engagement in the campaign reflects its commitment to implementing the circular economy concept through the 9Rs principles. This includes establishing the Creative Circular Economy Center with EU funding, aiming for green job creation and protection of natural resources in Aqaba.
The campaign featured an awareness session on plastic pollution and the environmental impact of cigarette butts, a presentation of past seabed cleanup campaigns under the Blue Team initiative, the planting of 30 trees, distribution of agricultural tools, installation of 12 waste containers, and the “Draw Your Project Idea” activity to propose innovative solutions for reducing the impact of cigarette butts.
The slogan “The Wave Continues” underscores the importance of sustained environmental efforts and transforming awareness into everyday practices that help preserve the marine environment and resources of the Gulf of Aqaba for future generations.
