A Jordan free of mines

Jordan has cleared all of the known minefields in its territory, thus fulfilling its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Jordan is the first country in the Middle East to achieve this goal.

“This is a significant achievement,” said Crown Prince Haakon in his speech today. “Jordan has shown courage, responsibility and persistence in turning the dream of a mine-free Jordan into reality in a region where landmines still represent a threat to people’s life and hinder social and economic development.”

170 000 mines removed

Norway has been a key participant in the effort to achieve universal implementation of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention and has financed a large share of the demining operations in Jordan. Norwegian People’s Aid has played an active role in this context, and has assisted the Jordanians with the removal of 170 000 landmines from the areas bordering Israel and Syria. The people living in the border regions can now reclaim the use of this land and begin farming once again.

The Crown Prince praised those who took part in the demining operations, and honoured those whose lives have been lost:

“Today our thoughts are with the casualties of landmines, and with some thirteen hundred men and women who have dedicated their time, energy and efforts to the heroic task of clearing Jordan’s minefields . Omar Bani Salem paid the highest price, his life. As did several members of the Royal Engineers Corps. I honour their memory.”

Green growth in Jordan

The Crown Prince was also in attendance when the Sahara Forest Project, a Norwegian R&D company focused on green growth, presented the results of its feasibility studies at a seminar in Amman on Tuesday. The project is seeking sustainable solutions to Jordan’s need for clean water, food and energy security.

More than 60 experts from 12 countries have participated in the studies, which demonstrate the potential of an innovative, cohesive approach in generating growth.

The Sahara Forest Project is partly owned by the Bellona Foundation, an international environmental NGO based in Norway.