Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud and Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), engaged in discussions to explore collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the pressing water challenges in Jordan and the broader region.
According to Jordan News Agency, Minister Abu Soud emphasized the necessity of strengthening partnerships to tackle regional water scarcity, underscoring Jordan's strategic initiatives to ensure the sustainability of its limited water resources. He highlighted Jordan's leading role in water resource management, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and promoting sustainable agricultural water use.
Reaffirming Jordan's commitment to its partnership with the FAO, Abu Soud outlined goals to achieve water and food security, improve irrigation efficiency, and maximize water productivity in alignment with the Economic Modernization Vision and royal directives. He also stressed the importance of integrated water resource management, enhanced water governance, resilient services, and modern technologies in irrigation and agriculture. Regional cooperation was noted as crucial for sharing experiences and ensuring long-term water sustainability amid climate change impacts.
Dr. Qu Dongyu reiterated the FAO's commitment to reinforcing its partnership with Jordan, acknowledging the country's pivotal role in addressing regional water scarcity. He pointed out the climate challenges such as erratic rainfall and declining water quality that directly threaten food security in the region.