In 2006;; the Sultanate of Oman undertook a project that aimed to support the implementation of the country’s vision towards conservation of biological diversity in the Sultanate of Oman. This report serves as an “evaluation and assessment of capacity building in the field of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity.” The report aims to describe the state of traditional knowledge on biodiversity in Oman;; assess capacity-building requirements in relation to traditional knowledge;; and provide a set of recommendations with a strategy for the protection and maintenance of traditional knowledge on biodiversity conservation. Various topics related to biodiversity are covered;; including irrigation;; tree cultivation;; crop improvement;; livestock management;; and soil and water conservation. The methodology used depends on three sources of information;; including a review of secondary data;; in-depth interviews;; and a participatory workshop.

The report presents the findings of the government institutions efforts survey;; which is designed for the purpose of reviewing the government agencies’ current and past communication activities in water;; energy and environment. The specific objective of this survey is to review the Donor Position Paper on Outreach targeted sample of 36 staff from 22 government institutions from Aqaba and Karak. As part of the Public Action for Water;; Energy and Environment Project (PAP);; a public education and behavior change communication program developed to support USAID’s technical and policy investments in the Jordanian water and energy sectors;; this report finds that many government institutions have more than one role;; overseeing solid waste management;; industrial water and reuse and environmental laws. The report also finds that the communications programs are scattered and credibility and trust between service agencies and their clients is a concern. The interview analysis suggests that the Public Action Project needs to focus on two or three specific areas;; and the report recommends all capacity building activities to be focused on one goal of developing;; implementing and measuring national communication strategies and action plans.

The report is directed at drawing a picture of the prevailing legal and institutional frameworks of the water sector in Jordan in relation to climate change adaptation in the Zarqa River Basin (ZRB). To achieve this purpose;; three tasks were conducted;; (1) literature of pertinent documents on legislation;; administration;; regulations;; water policies and water laws were reviewed;; (2) address the gaps in the water policies in Jordan as related to climate change vulnerability;; and to raise awareness of the importance of developing climate change mitigation measures;; and (3) propose policy options for adaptation to climate change through implementation of IWRM as a tool. The objective of the revision is the assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of the existing institutional framework regarding the climate change adaptation measures in ZRB. Combating water scarcity remains a strategic challenge that Jordan faces for augmenting its water resources.