Amman, April 14 (Petra) – Minister of Water, Raed Abu Saud, and Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Nabil Assaf, on Sunday discussed the Regional Initiative on Water Scarcity for the Near East and North Africa.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the initiative aims to support strategic planning and improve water resource management, promote the use of non-conventional water sources, ensure water sustainability, enhance governance in agricultural water use, strengthen the resilience of food systems and water services to climate change, and foster knowledge-sharing through regional cooperation.

Saud stressed the initiative’s importance in tackling Jordan’s water challenges and those facing the broader region. He outlined national efforts to safeguard water sustainability through strategic planning and the search for innovative solutions.

He noted that the initiative offers a valuable platform to improve water resource management and planning, promote sustainable water use in agriculture, develop technical capacities, raise awareness, and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices.

He added that the ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders, aims to implement integrated water resource management, strengthen water governance, and improve the flexibility and security of water services. The initiative also seeks to introduce modern irrigation and agricultural technologies to advance food security and counter climate change, while reinforcing regional cooperation for sustainable water resource management.

For his part, Assaf highlighted the critical role of partnerships in confronting regional water scarcity, especially in light of challenges such as climate change, irregular rainfall, and declining water quality, all of which affect food availability across the region.

//Petra// AO

14/04/2025 14:04:41