WORLD> Middle East
Mediterranean forum on eco-cities closes with Amman call
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-21 15:54

AMMAN -- A Jordan-host Mediterranean forum on eco-cities has concluded with an Amman call, local daily The Jordan Times reported on Tuesday.

The forum kicked off in Jordan on Sunday and attracted about 450 participants from Arab and foreign countries to take part in the event.

The Amman Call for Eco-Cities identifies environmental issues affecting urban areas, such as the increasing population and the high rate of natural resource consumption, and what is needed to mitigate them.

The document urges governments to develop and enforce legislation that promotes actions, programs and projects that reduce air and noise pollution, increase the area of and accessibility to open green spaces and embark on campaigns for planting suitable trees in metropolitan cities.

In addition, it calls on concerned authorities to enhance and support efforts put forth by the private sector to develop alternative transport modes, greener buildings, energy efficiency and renewable energy use, water conservation and water recycling processes and technologies.

"To guarantee the implementation of Amman Call for Eco-Cities, we decided to hold the forum every two years. This will allow us to study developments related to environment protection and revise them," said Jordanian Minister of Environment Khalid Irani.

Meanwhile, a committee is established to set standards and criteria for environment-friendly towns.

The panel, consists of representatives from governments, NGOs and UN agencies, will meet regularly to set time-bound goals and follow up the achievements of goals, according to Irani.