Saraya Aqaba supports international conference

The Conference, organized by the Marine Sciences Station, in collaboration with the Islamic Network for Science and Technology on Oceanography, and both the University of Jordan and the Yarmouk University, as well as attended by a representative by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia Organization (ESCWA), was held under the sponsorship of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC), and Saraya Aqaba.

The three days conference convened under the patronage of the Acting Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Dr. Taha Zaboun, was held with the participation of more than 14 countries.

The Marine Science Station's organization of this conference stems from its role to contribute in spreading awareness on shoreline management, through attracting a number of experts in this field, who run the Islamic Network for Science and Technology on Oceanography. The Conference witnessed the presentation of a number of research papers, which tackled coastal management and land usage.

Saraya Aqaba's support for this Conference comes in harmony with its social responsibility towards the Governorate of Aqaba as a whole and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) in particular.

It also synchronizes with Saraya Aqaba's vision to participate in the development of the areas surrounding its projects, in realization of its national interest to support sustainable development on all fronts, particularly on the environmental level, towards placing Aqaba on the world tourism map. An honorary trophy was presented to Mr. "Shadi Ramzi" Majali, General Manager of Saraya Aqaba on the first day of the conference, in recognition of Saraya Aqaba's efforts to support the Conference.

Mr. Majali stated "We endeavor our utmost to participate in all activities that would enhance scientific research and urban planning of Aqaba. This will alleviate the status of the City and will place it amongst its peer cities around the world."

He also added: "Our commitment towards Aqaba is always translated on ground. Supporting the Conference aims at employing the documented scientific studies towards alleviating the status of the coastal city of Aqaba, through the best usage of land. Subsequently, such efforts will continue to promote the Special Economic Zone in Aqaba as a developed regional centre, and a link in a fully integrated economic development process." Mr. Majali reiterated the importance of scientific research towards addressing environmental problems and finding solutions to environmental ramifications.

The Conference discussed in its sessions the phenomena of 'rapid urbanization' based on statistics that indicate that by the year 2015, over 30% of the world population will immigrate to coastal cities, especially in third world countries. Yet despite economic benefits and obvious economic, social and cultural opportunities that such population movement can bring about, adverse negative effects are expected, such as environmental degradation, pollution, and waste disposal in coastal cities that will be simultaneous to the economic and construction development. Furthermore, other adverse conditions that pose future threats are drinking water shortages, coastal erosion, due to building expansion and shortages in aquatic systems.

The Islamic Network for Science and Technology on Oceanography holds annually several meetings in Islamic countries, whereby topics of marine environs and coastal cities are broached. The international presence in this year's Conference in Aqaba has exceeded 70 participants, and a number of specialist international key speakers addressed the gathering.

Saraya Aqaba is Saraya Holding ltd first project located on the western tip of Aqaba on the shoreline northern around a man-made lagoon. The project will commence operations in the year 2009, adding approximately 1.5km of beachfront to the Gulf of Aqaba. The project comprises approximately 617,000sqm (not including Radisson SAS land) of master planned development combining shopping, dining, entertainment, freehold accommodation and cultural activities within the context of an authentically styled ancient city. The approximate total cost of the project is one billion US dollar.