AMMAN — The Cabinet has approved the inclusion of the Baptism Site in the national network of protected areas and its designation as a nature reserve covering 10 square kilometers, as preparations begin for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030.

 

The government will proceed with the necessary procedures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, according to a Prime Ministry statement.

 

The decision reflects the site’s exceptional environmental value, as well as its global religious, cultural and historical significance.

 

Studies and field surveys have identified the area as an integrated ecosystem and one of the most important natural habitats on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, the statement said.

 

“Its diverse landscapes, which include riverine and wetland environments, valleys and plains, provide food, shelter, breeding grounds and resting places for a wide range of wildlife,” it said.

 

The Baptism Site is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting its significance as a landmark of both natural and cultural heritage.

 

The proposed reserve will encompass the Baptism Site and its surrounding natural areas, including Wadi Kharrar, Wadi Gharabah and habitats connected to the Jordan River.

 

Beyond protecting local flora and fauna, the designation is expected to help preserve the natural environment surrounding the World Heritage Site and support scientific research and long-term environmental monitoring.

 

Plans also include establishing a biodiversity database to strengthen conservation efforts, according to the statement.

 

The initiative is further expected to promote sustainable ecotourism, cultural tourism and religious tourism, while creating economic opportunities for local communities through tourism-related services and research activities.

 

The proposed reserve is intended to balance environmental conservation with existing land uses, allowing the area’s natural and cultural heritage to be protected while supporting sustainable development.

 

On May 18, His Majesty King Abdullah inaugurated the Baptism Site International Orthodox University (BIO Uni) on Monday, at the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ (Bethany Beyond the Jordan).

 

His Majesty directed the government to adopt and support the initiative to commemorate two thousand years since the baptism of Jesus Christ in 2030, which was put forward by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.

 

During a meeting with Christian religious leaders from Jordan and Palestine at the Baptism Site, the King highlighted the need for the 2030 initiative’s action plan to focus on improving infrastructure and operational services at the Baptism Site, according to a Royal Court statement.

 

During a visit to Baptism Site in September, HRH Crown Prince Hussein issued directives to improve the site to enhance the experience of Christian pilgrims and visitors.

 

The Crown Prince emphasised the need to carefully plan for the 2030 millennium celebrations, in a manner that reflects the profound history of the site and reaffirms Jordan’s status as a premier global destination for Christian pilgrimage.

 

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan has recently chaired the first meeting of a national committee overseeing preparations for Jordan’s 2030 commemoration of the second millennium of the Baptism of Jesus Christ.

 

The committee will develop policies and guidelines, coordinate international outreach and national procedures, and plan events to mark the anniversary.

 

Hassan stressed the need to begin preparations immediately in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and in support of an initiative proposed by the Council of Church Leaders in Jordan.

 

He called for a comprehensive plan and clear timetable, saying the commemoration reflects Jordan’s historical and religious standing and its role as a global destination for Christian pilgrimage.