AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AND NATURE CONSERVATION
BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
AND
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN
(Aqaba, 7 September 1995)
Preamble:
The Government of the State of Israel and the Government of the Hashemite
Kingdom of Jordan (hereinafter referred to as "the Parties"),
Expressing their desire to further develop the cooperation in
environmental protection and nature conservation in the spirit of Article
18 and Annex IV of the Treaty of Peace between the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan and the State of Israel of 26 October, 1994 (hereinafter referred
to as the "Treaty of Peace"),
Fully aware of the importance of the ecology of the region, its high
environmental sensitivity, and the need to protect the environment and
prevent its degradation for the health and well-being of the region's
population,
Recognizing the need for the conservation of natural resources and
preservation of biodiversity in the region for the benefit and enjoyment
of present and future generations,
Taking into account the imperative of attaining economic growth and a
better standard of living based on sustainable development principles,
Desiring to develop and maintain cooperation in matters relating to
environmental protection and preservation and in pollution abatement in
general, and specifically in matters that may affect them mutually,
Have agreed as follows:
Article 1
1. The Parties shall cooperate in the fields of environmental protection
and conservation of natural resources on the basis of equality,
reciprocity and mutual benefit.
2. They shall take the necessary measures, both jointly and individually,
to protect the environment and prevent environmental risks, hazards and
nuisances in general, and in particular those that may affect or cause
damage to people, natural resources or environmental assets in the region.
Article 2
The Parties shall take the necessary measures to cooperate on the
development and implementation of the following mechanisms and tools,
which are mutually recognized as essential for attaining the aforesaid
goals. These measures shall include:
1. Measures for the preparation and presentation of Environmental Impact
Assessments (EIAs) relating to development activities that may have a
significant or transboundary impact on the environment.
2. Environmental Legislation, and measures to promote, to the extent
possible, consistency and harmonization of environmental laws, regulations
and standards in accordance with internationally recognized principles and
standards.
3. Capacity building means, including:
a) Enhancement of legislative, administrative and judicial principles
and enforcement of compliance strategies;
b) Development of improved mechanisms for monitoring environmental
performance of regulated activities and facilities.
4. Other capacity building means, such as research and monitoring
activities, the development and application of best available technologies
and the effective use of economic incentives.
5. Emergency warning and response procedures to events or accidents likely
to generate environmental pollution or damage, including transboundary
notification, and provisions for coordinated response to such events or
accidents that may endanger public health or the environment.
6. Information exchange on research, planning and development activities,
policies, environmental practices and environmental impacts of existing
facilities, and on legal provisions and environmental enforcement
activities which are relevant to the implementation of this Agreement,
including improved means of collecting, compiling, analyzing and
disseminating environmental quality and pollution-monitoring data.
7. Environmental education programs for the younger population, as well as
multi-media programs addressing the general public, aimed at raising
awareness.
Article 3
The Parties shall seek to promote cooperation in the following fields
relating to the protection of the environment and natural resources and to
nature conservation:
A. Environmental subjects to be addressed:
1. Protection of nature, natural resources and biodiversity, including
cooperation in planning and management of adjacent protected areas along
the common border, and protection of endangered species and migratory
birds.
2. Air quality control, including general standards, criteria and all
types of man-made hazardous radiations, fumes and gases.
3. Marine environment and coastal resources management.
4. Waste management, including hazardous wastes.
5. Pest control including house flies and mosquitoes, and prevention of
diseases transferred by pests, such as malaria and leishmaniosis.
6. Abatement and control of pollution, contamination and other man-made
hazards to the environment.
7. Desertification: combatting desertification, exchange of information
and research knowledge, and the implementation of suitable technologies.
8. Noise: reducing noise pollution through regulations and enforcement
based on agreed standards.
B. In accordance with the above, the Parties agree to cooperate in
activities and projects in the geographical areas as stipulated in Annex 1
of this Agreement, in accordance with Annex IV, part D of the Treaty of
Peace.
Article 4
The Parties shall work together in order to promote joint environmental
development projects along their mutual border, to be further elaborated
and incorporated in future schemes for development in this area.
Article 5
For the implementation of this agreement, and especially in order to
advance the purposes set forth in Article 2, the Parties agree upon the
following forms of cooperation, which shall include:
1. Meetings to discuss environmental issues and subject matters which are
of mutual interest and benefit.
2. Exchange of professional delegations, experts, scholars and scientific
research workers in the field of environment.
3. Exchange of timely information and data on a regular basis, including
analysis and assessment of environmental impacts.
4. Promotion of joint scientific and technical research and development
projects in the field of environment.
5. Organization of conferences, exhibitions, symposia and lectures to
discuss the subjects mentioned in this Agreement.
6. Activities to support international environmental projects to help
solve global and regional environmental problems and to create an
atmosphere of cooperation.
7. Any other forms of cooperation deemed necessary by the Parties to
facilitate the implementation of this Agreement.
Article 6
1. Unless otherwise agreed, each Party shall provide adequate resources to
carry out of its own responsibilities under this Agreement. It is
expressly understood that the ability of each Party to carry out long-term
activities is subject to the availability of appropriate funds, and that
both sides will seek to ensure funding for projects under this Agreement.
2. The Parties shall strive to attract funds for financing joint research
and development projects and other cooperative projects in the field of
the environment.
Article 7
The Parties may call upon government agencies, academic institutions and
private economic enterprises to take part in the cooperative activities
under this Agreement.
Article 8
1. By mutual agreement, both Parties may pass on the results of their
cooperation to third parties.
2. In exchanging information and disseminating it to third parties, both
Parties shall take into account existing legal provisions, the rights of
third parties and international obligations.
3. The use of informationeither worthy of protection or protectedshall
require specific consent.
Article 9
1. The Ministry of the Environment of the State of Israel and the Ministry
of Municipalities, Rural Affairs and Environment of the Hashemite Kingdom
of Jordan are the Ministries in charge of the implementation of this
Agreement.
2. Each of the above mentioned Ministries shall nominate a coordinator to
carry out overall responsibility for cooperation and activities under this
Agreement.
Article 10
1. In order to promote cooperation in the implementation of this
Agreement, the Parties shall establish a Joint Committee on Environmental
Protection and Natural Resources Conservation, the tasks of which shall
be:
a) To draw up work programs and define activities under this Agreement
concerning specific areas of cooperation;
b) To review the current and future activities under this Agreement and
to assess the state and results of the cooperation.
2. The Committee shall meet bimonthly. The meetings of the Committee shall
be held in Jordan and in Israel, alternately.
Article 11
This Agreement shall be considered an interim Agreement for a period of
one year, from the date set forth in the procedures described in Article
12 of this Agreement, pending the conclusion of a final Agreement in
accordance with Article 18 and Annex IV of the Treaty of Peace. Article 12
This Agreement is subject to approval or ratification in accordance with
the national legislation and procedures of each Party and shall enter into
force not later than thirty (30) days from the day of signature on the
date of the latter of the Diplomatic Notes confirming such approval or
ratification.
Done at Aqaba, this 7 day of September 1995, which corresponds to the 12
day of Elul, 5755, and 12th al Rubinz 1415 H, in the Arabic, Hebrew and
English languages, all texts being equally authentic. In case of
divergency of interpretation, the English text shall prevail.