Under the patronage of HRH Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, president of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS). The Royal Scientific Society, the Circular Economy Club in Amman, and the Jordan Strategy Forum, and in collaboration with the GIZ-implemented “Green Action in Enterprises” organized the first Nationwide conference on circular economy titled: “Unleashing the Power of Circularity: Jordan's Opportunity to Boost Employment & Growth. The event was sponsored by the Arab Bank, Bank Al Etihad, and the Housing Bank.

During the event, Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya Bint Al Hassan, said that a team from the society is currently collaborating with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to prepare a National Circular Economy Roadmap, aiming to contribute to the articulating of the Economic Modernization Vision.

The Princess emphasized the importance of Circular Economy transition, as a way to address issues such as poverty, unemployment, climate crises, natural resource depletion and other global challenges.

She also highlighted the need to innovate intelligent strategies that eliminate waste and relieve the burden of waste management.

The Princess further explained how the circular transition can help achieve sustainable economic growth without badly impacting the environment and contributing to the overall wellbeing of our nation. 

H.E. Dr. Mu’wiya Radaideh, Minister of Environment, pinpointed that the objectives of this conference align with the economic modernization vision launched by His Majesty King Abdullah II and aligns with the transition to a greener economy in Jordan.

The Chairman of the Jordan Strategy Forum (JSF), H.E. Faris Sharaf, stated that the joint event with the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and the Circular Economy Club in Amman builds on JSF’s previous efforts to promote sustainability, through raising awareness about the importance of applying environmental, social, and governance standards in private sector companies, and advocating for circular practices.

Sharaf emphasized that the implementation of the circular economy principles in Jordan requires cooperation between the various stakeholders in the public and private sectors and the community at large. H.E. also stressed that Jordan has the potential to lead the change within this framework and establish the country as a global exemplar of circular prosperity.

For his part Engineer Omar Saleh, the Circular Economy expert at the Royal Scientific Society, stressed the importance of achieving economic growth that helps increase resilience in value chains, hence enabling local communities to endure climate shocks.

The conference included a panel discussion with keynote speakers to discuss the expected positive impacts of the circular economy on various sectors such as water, energy and food.

During the panel discussion, H.E. Dr. Tariq Hammouri, the Former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply and a member of JSF, emphasized the positive economic impact of embracing circular economy practices in Jordan.

Almoayied Assayed, director of the Water, Environment, and Climate Change Centre at the RSS, also took part in the discussion to explain circular economy concepts in the water sector. Furthermore, Ivonne Bojoh, CEO of the Circular Economy Foundation in Amsterdam, explained how Circular Economy contributes to food security.

The conference concluded with interactive sessions on enabling tools to ensure a just Circular transition in Jordan in addition to the associated challenges to be encountered.