The Conference on Hazardous Materials was held in Amman during October
14-16, 2003. The conference was jointly organized by the Center for
Security Studies (Jordan Pugwash Group) and the University of Jordan.
The conference was held in Amman between October 14 to 16 with the
participation of experts from France, Taiwan, Switzerland, UK, USA,
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Palestine and the UN. Additionally, the meeting
involved more that 35 participants representing different Jordanian
departments, both governmental and non-governmental. The meeting was
patronized by HRH Princess Aisha bin Al-Hussein (Head of the Center
for Security Studies).
The meeting highlighted various experiences in other parts of the
world. A follow up committee was initiated with members representing
University of Jordan, Center for Security Studies, Armed Forces, Police,
Civil Defense, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Ministry
of Environment, Aqaba Special Zone Authority and an observer from
the Palestinian National Authority. The committee presented a number
of conclusions that included:
- The Jordanian Pugwash group expresses its sincere thanks for the
European Union and the University of Jordan for sponsoring the activities
of the project.
- The committee stress on the importance of updating and consolidating
the five lists of banned and prohibited hazardous chemicals in Jordan.
Future meetings should address and consider this consolidation process.
This might be followed up through workshops on the local level.
- An overall management for the transportation of hazardous material
(similar to the French and Swiss models) is highly needed in Jordan
with the possibility of tracking and controlling capabilities. Additionally,
the UN experience in establishing a specialized unit on technological
risks and disaster management constitutes a priority to the situation
in Jordan.
- Hazardous materials effects should be addressed in an appropriate
manner. The committee recommends studying toxicity of pesticides
on mammals and ecological impact and determining tolerance values
and acceptable daily intake.
- The committee recommend organizing a field visit for a Jordanian-Palestinian
delegation to observe technological developments in countries of
the European Union.
- The committee recommends the Jordan Pugwash Group to establish
a specialized information Center on Hazardous Material. The committee
shall coordinate towards the implementation of the above objectives.
Amman–October 29, 2003
