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Ammon News - Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Saud, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative in Jordan, Nabil Assaf, signed an agreement on Sunday to launch the Water Scarcity Initiative in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region.

According to a statement from the Ministry, Abu Saud outlined the severe water challenges Jordan faces and highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability of the country’s limited water resources through strategic solutions.

He noted that the Water Scarcity Initiative provides an important opportunity to enhance water resource planning, strengthen knowledge-sharing, and promote sustainable water use in agriculture.

Abu Saud emphasized that through the initiative, Jordan aims to implement integrated water management practices, enhance water governance, and improve the resilience of water services.

These efforts align with the broader goals of ensuring water security, introducing modern irrigation techniques, and addressing the impact of climate change while fostering regional cooperation to sustain water resources.

FAO’s representative, Nabil Assaf, stressed the importance of this partnership in tackling water scarcity in the region. "By working together, we can create a more sustainable and resilient future for the people of Jordan," he said.

The agreement outlines key objectives, including the promotion of agricultural water governance, boosting the resilience of food systems and water services in response to climate change, and fostering regional cooperation to share knowledge and expertise.

The FAO's Water Scarcity Initiative was created as a regional partnership platform to bring together national and regional stakeholders dedicated to improving water and food security in the region.

The initiative aims to support strategic water management planning, promote the use of unconventional water resources, and facilitate knowledge exchange. The initiative involves 17 outputs, 15 of which Jordan is actively participating in, with a total value of $31.5 million.

Jordan has made significant progress in addressing water scarcity at both the regional and global levels. The country has successfully reduced agricultural water consumption to 51% of available water resources, compared to a global average of 85%. Petra