ISRAEL-JORDAN PEACE TREATY
 ANNEX IV
ENVIRONMENT

Israel and Jordan acknowledge the importance of the ecology of the region,
its high environmental sensitivity and the need to protect the environment
and prevent danger and risks for the health and well-being of the region's
population. They both recognise the need for conservation of natural
resources, protection of biodiversity and the imperative of attaining
economic growth based on sustainable development principles.

In light of the above, both Parties agree to co-operate in matters relating
to environmental protection in general and to those that may mutually
effect them. Areas of such co-operation are detailed as follows:

  A. Taking the necessary steps both jointly and individually to prevent
     damage and risks to the environment in general, and in particular
     those that may affect people, natural resources and environmental
     assets in the two countries respectively.

  B. Taking the necessary steps by both countries to co-operate in the
     following areas:

        o Environmental planning and management including conducting
          Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and exchanging of data on
          projects possessing potential impact on their respective
          environments.

        o Environmental legislation, regulations, standards and enforcement
          thereof.

        o Research and applied technology.

        o Emergency response, monitoring, related notification procedures
          and control of damages.

        o Code of conduct through regional charters.

          This may be achieved through the establishment of joint
          modalities and mechanisms of cooperation to ensure exchange of
          information, communication and coordination regarding matters and
          activities of mutual environmental concern between their
          environmental administrations and experts.

  C. 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
          manmade hazards to the environment.

       7. Desertification: combatting desertification, exchange of
          information and research knowledge, and the implementation of
          suitable technologies.

       8. Public awareness and environmental education, encouraging the
          exchange of knowledge, information, study materials, education
          programmes and training through public actions and awareness
          campaigns.

       9. Noise: reducing noise pollution through regulation, licensing and
          enforcement based on agreed standards.

      10. Potential co-operation in case of natural disasters.

  D. In accordance with the above, the two Parties agree to co-operate in
     activities and projects in the following geographical areas:

       I. The Gulf of Aqaba

          I.1 The Marine Environment:

             o Natural resources.
             o Coastal reef protection.
             o Marine pollution:

                  + Marine sources: such as oil spills, littering and waste
                    disposal and others.
                  + Land-based sources: such as liquid waste, solid waste
                    and littering.
                  + Abatement, including monitoring and emergency response
                    actions.

          I.2 Coastal Zone Management - The Littoral

             o Nature reserves and protected areas.
             o Environmental protection of water resources.
             o Liquid waste.
             o Solid waste.
             o Tourism and recreational activities.
             o Ports.
             o Transport.
             o Industry and power generation.
             o Air quality.
             o Hazardous materials.
             o Environmental assessments.

      II. The Rift Valley

          II.1 The Jordan River

          Israel and Jordan agree to cooperate along the common boundaries
          in the following aspects:

             o Ecological rehabilitation of the Jordan River.
             o Environmental protection of water resources to ensure
               optimal water quality, at reasonably usable standards.
             o Agricultural pollution control.
             o Liquid waste.
             o Pest control.
             o Nature reserves and protected areas.
             o Tourism and historical heritage.

          II.2 The Dead Sea

             o Nature reserves and protected areas.
             o Pest control.
             o Environmental protection of water resources.
             o Industrial pollution control.
             o Tourism and historical heritage.

          II.3 Emek Ha'arava/Wadi Araba

             o Environmental protection of water resources.
             o Nature reserves and protected areas.
             o Pest control.
             o Tourism and historical heritage.
             o Agricultural pollution control.

Return to the Document Room