Green Fins Expansion

The Green Fins approach, conducted in partnership with governments and dive shops globally, leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with marine tourism. The aim of the program is to protect coral reefs through implementation of environmentally friendly guidelines promoting sustainable diving and snorkeling. The Green Fins approach in Aqaba, Jordan, is spearheaded by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and made possible with the “Employment-oriented MSME Promotion” project, implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). Programme scoping in 2023 was quickly followed by the training of Jordan’s first team of assessors. The team brings together a range of skillsets from the Aqaba Navy, Marine Reserve and the University of Ecology.

UNDP Jordan and the Reef-World Foundation have signed a cooperation agreement End of Aug, 2025 under the Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs Programme (GFCR). Implemented in close partnership with the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA), the agreement aims to strengthen the Green Fins programme and expand the number of accredited diving centers in Aqaba, thereby promoting sustainable tourism practices and enhancing the resilience of coral reef ecosystems.

The initiative is expected to provide training for diving instructors, build the capacity of local diving operators, and raise awareness among tourists and the wider community. By integrating environmental standards into diving activities, the agreement supports Jordan’s commitments to global biodiversity frameworks and advances the vision of a sustainable blue economy.

This agreement forms part of the six-year Gulf of Aqaba Resilient Reefs Programme (2024–2030), implemented by UNDP in collaboration with ASEZA and a wide range of national and international partners. The programme focuses on four key solutions to safeguard and enhance the sustainability of marine ecosystems, with the Green Fins initiative being one of these solutions through promoting sustainable diving and expanding environmentally responsible practices within the marine tourism sector.