As member of the Earth Charter Commission representing Africa and the Middle East, Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal took the initiative of launching a national dicussion in Jordan as well as an Arab regional meeting to introduce the Earth Charter Principles. The purpose of both gatherings was to carry on discussing, disseminating, and endorsing the principles of the Earth Charter. The ultimate goal was to receive an endorsement of the Charter from many key leaders in the region to prepare for the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in South Africa in 2002 (RIO +10).