Jordan leads in linking climate action with culture, youth at COP29

AMMAN — Minister of Environment Muawieh Radaideh on Saturday highlighted the Kingdom's leadership in linking climate action with cultural and youth priorities.

In a meeting with Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Chair James Ferguson, on the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Radaideh emphasised the need for greater involvement of scholars from developing countries in shaping the IPCC's forthcoming Seventh Assessment Report.

He also highlighted Jordan's scientific contributions to the panel's work, demonstrating the Kingdom's active role in global climate efforts, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

Speaking at a ministerial session on integrating cultural heritage into climate initiatives, Radaideh reiterated the Kingdom's support for the global call to place cultural heritage, arts and creative sectors at the heart of climate action.

He suggested combining heritage-based approaches with nature-based solutions to address climate challenges, describing Jordan's efforts to position cultural heritage as an "important" component of international climate strategies.

Youth engagement was another focus of Jordan's participation at COP29, with a group of young Jordanian climate advocates joining Radaideh for a session on empowering youth in climate action.

Hala Wishah, a prominent Jordanian climate activist, gave a presentation outlining Jordan's vision for supporting and empowering young people to take the lead in addressing the climate crisis.

Wishah's speech received praise, and several of her proposals were included in the session's final recommendations on youth empowerment in climate action.