Welcoming of the group in the Ajloun Nature Reserve in Jordan

HSS

21 participants from five countries  - Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia - took part in the workshop, which is part of a series of two build on each other in order to develop knowledge and skills of decision-makers to integrate protected areas in national climate change policies.

The goals of the first workshop were

- to highlight the important role of protected areas in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation

- to provide different tools and strategies to integrate protected areas in national climate change policies

Decision-Maker from the MENA region in Ajloun

HSS

Protected areas can be recognized as decisive tools for sustainable development and the fight against climate change. Beyond conserving species and biodiversity, protected areas provide essential ecological, social and economic services - such as clean water, carbon storage, disaster mitigation, genetic reservoirs - and for preserving our cultural heritage. Protected Areas, if well managed, are important tools for adapting and mitigating to climate change,

The workshop served to raise awareness of those responsible and provided technical information as well as the exchange of experiences on climate change and its impact on protected areas. The exchange of experience and the transfer of knowledge should contribute - within a reasonable timeframe - to take concrete steps towards the realization of necessary adjustments to the political decision-making processes at national level, based on jointly developed recommendations.

A second workshop is scheduled for March 2017.