Khaberni - The head of the Greater Amman Municipality committee, Dr. Yousef Al-Shawarbeh, stated that Amman faces pressing urban challenges today represented by increasing population growth as a direct result of migrations and recurrent waves of asylum seekers and the impacts of climate change, including changes in rainfall patterns, recurring sudden floods, and rising temperatures, pointing out that we are building a resilient future for our city and turning challenges into opportunities for building a greener, more resilient, and sustainable Amman.
This was stated during his participation in the opening general session of the C40 World Mayors Summit and the Local Leaders Forum, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme “Cities Leading Global Climate Action,” organized by the Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Brazilian Presidency of the COP30 conference.
Al-Shawarbeh added, in the session titled "Annual Action Showcase—City Brief," that next year we will work on protecting six flood-prone areas using smart water systems and nature-based solutions, transforming them into lively green public spaces that enhance community connectivity and support the resilience and sustainability of our city.
He mentioned that by 2026, Amman will witness new practical steps in its climate journey, as the Greater Amman Municipality launched last week the "Green Path" for the bus rapid transit system that connects Raghdan to Sweileh through approximately 19 kilometers of electric buses, embodying the city’s commitment to its vision as a smart and environmentally friendly city.
Also, by the end of 2026, Amman will add 20 new low-emission buses to its fleet to expand low or zero-emission transportation options and improve the quality of life for more than 4.5 million residents.
He explained that we will work on expanding the solid waste management project and sorting from the source SoWas by introducing new sorting systems at three additional sites, based on previous successes in promoting the green circular economy.
Al-Shawarbeh affirmed that as of January 2026, Amman will begin applying a new planning and regulation system that links urban planning with climate action, requiring every new developmental project to contribute to achieving the city's goals in reducing emissions, enhancing energy efficiency, and increasing green spaces.
He confirmed that this legislative framework represents a fundamental shift in the urban development path in Amman, and contributes to building a more resilient and inclusive city that considers justice in distributing services, enhances the quality of life and prosperity for today’s and future generations.
The opening general session of the summit included a prominent group of city leaders, experts, and partners, among them the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of Rio de Janeiro Eduardo Paes, the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, the Executive Director of the C40 network Mark Watts, and a representative of the COP30 conference presidency.
The discussions addressed how cities lead global climate action and implement
the priorities of the COP30 presidency, represented in "transitioning from negotiations to implementation," focusing also on core issues such as combating air pollution and tackling the severe heat waves.
