Professional Affiliation

Director of the Sahara Forest Project

Expert Bio

Ruba Al-Zubi is the current Director of Sahara Forest Project, which aims to create re-vegetation and green jobs through profitable production of food, water, clean electricity and biomass in desert areas. 



Eng. Al Zubi recently served as the Adviser for Science Policy and Programme Development to HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, the President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS). Prior to that, Ruba led the Scientific Research Department at Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation. Through that post, Ruba oversaw Shoman’s Scientific Research Support Fund, Arab Researchers Award as well as science-based Innovation programme. Ruba was the first Policy Director at the Ministry of Environment, established and led several departments at the Development and Free Zones Commission (Investment Commission), and served as the Chief Executive Officer of EDAMA Association for Energy, Water and Environment - the first Jordanian business association in the green technology sector. Al Zubi also led the Clean Technology Sector Development component at USAID Jordan Competitiveness Program that aimed at enhancing private sector’s competitiveness, creating jobs and increasing exports in the green tech clusters. In addition, Ruba worked on several consulting assignments with local and international companies and donor agencies. Ruba is also active in the non-profit and youth and women empowerment field locally and internationally and serves on the Boards of several entities and initiatives. She is a founding member of the Jordan Green Building Council, a Plus Social Good Advisor and was selected as one of the United Nations Foundation’s Protectors of Progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She was Jordan's Eisenhower Fellow for 2012 and continues to advocate for green innovation and entrepreneurship throughout her journey.

Ruba holds a M.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and is a certified Project Management for Development Professional (PMD Pro) and was exposed to sustainable development policy and institutional frameworks within European and American contexts throughout her experience.