Timely implementation of energy, water projects vital for development — Zawati

AMMAN — The Second National Water and Energy Nexus Conference kicked off on Wednesday at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre, Dead Sea.

Deputising for Prime Minister Bisher Al Khasawneh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Hala Zawati emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation between the water and the energy sectors, for food security and Jordan’s sustainable development, according to a Water Ministry statement.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation Jihad Al Mahamid, Ambassador of the European Union Maria Hadjitheodosiou and Charge d’Affaires of the German Embassy to Jordan Florian Reindel attended the event, in addition to representatives from the Arab League and a number of ambassadors, officials and experts.

Zawati emphasised the importance of enhanced cooperation between the water and the energy sectors, for food security and Jordan’s sustainable development. She further stressed the importance of a timely implementation of cooperative energy-water projects, such as the Aqaba-Amman Desalination and Water Transfer Project and pump-storage projects.

Conference Coordinator Ahmed Al Salaymeh, a professor of renewable energy at the University of Jordan, said that this conference is a response to the emerging needs, opportunities, and challenges in the water and energy fields. 

The conference aims to stimulate dialogue between the energy and water sectors in Jordan and transfer the best practices from Europe to Jordan and the region, Salaymeh said.

Chargé d’Affairs of the German Embassy to Jordan Florian Reindel underlined the long-term cooperation between Germany and Jordan in the water sector and the importance of the German - Jordanian Energy Partnership.

 In his speech, he mentioned the challenges facing Jordan’s water sector, particularly the lack of sufficient water resources and the urgent need to adapt to climate change.

Reindel also highlighted the importance of the recently planned project, the Aqaba-Amman Desalination and Water Transfer Project, which is an important step towards economic stability and water security. 

Reindel concluded his speech by emphasising the importance of this conference as a platform for political dialogue and the exchange of perspectives among various stakeholders and experts from the two sectors.

EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou emphasised the EU’s support to the Energy-Water-Food Nexus through the European Green Deal to Jordan and the joint support for the water sector in the upcoming years through the Team Europe Initiative.

The conference was organised by the University of Jordan, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation-Water Authority, and the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. 

The conference was supported by the Renewable Energy Project in the Water Sector, implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. 

Its second edition aims to bring together stakeholders and experts from the water and energy sectors. The conference includes workshops for local, regional and European experts and local representatives from academia, industry, civil society, public authorities and research centres to discuss opportunities and strengths related to hydropower.