Berlin, December 5, 2014: The declaration, signed by 34 NGOs, was presented by Ms. Marion Hammerl, president of Global Nature Fund and of the Living Lakes Network, to Ms. Nancy Haddaden representing the Jordanian, Israeli and Palestinian teams of EcoPeace. During the ceremony, Ms. Nancy Haddaden and Dr. Alain Maasri, Head of Unit Water and Living Lakes at the Global Nature Fund, emphasized the need to support the implementation of the action plan developed by the transboundary NGO Masterplan for the rehabilitation of the Jordan River that can be accomplished through pilot projects, capacity building and knowledge exchange, and also through financial schemes.
The international Living Lakes Conference in Nanchang was attended by more than 350 delegates from 33 countries. The focus of the conference was on lakes in densely populated regions and the challenges facing these ecosystems due to the fast growing urbanization and industrialization. Poyang Hu, the biggest lake in China where the conference took place, and the Dead Sea are both Living Lakes part of the international Living Lakes Network and their conservation is of major interest for the Living Lakes Community. As the Dead Sea and it´s main inflow the Jordan River are two entities of the same system. The rehabilitation of the Jordan River will have direct positive impact on the preservation of the Dead Sea. Currently, almost 95 % of the Jordan River flow is subtracted leaving the river in a heavily degraded condition.
In the current challenging and dramatic events facing the Middle East this declaration is a strong statement made by the international environmental NGO community to encourage collaboration over water and to establish dialogue for a sustainable development of the Jordan Valley for the benefit of both, nature and the livelihoods of riparian communities.
Further information:
www.globalnature.org/swim-jordan
Contact and Information:
Dr. Alain Maasri, Head of Unit Water and Living Lakes
Global Nature Fund (GNF) – Berlin Office
Hackescher Markt 4
10178 Berlin, Germany
Phone: +49 - (0) 30 - 24 00 867 32
Fax: +49 - (0) 30 - 24 00 867 19
Email:
maasri@globalnature.org Webpage:
www.globalnature.org