Jordan, World Bank ink $250mln agreement for water efficiency

Amman, July 16 (BNA): The Jordanian Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Zina Touqan, and the World Bank’s Country Director for Middle East Affairs, Jean-Christophe Carette, signed today, Sunday, a financing agreement worth $250 million for a water sector efficiency project in Jordan.

The Jordanian News Agency (Petra) quoted the ministry in a press statement that $200 million of the total amount will be in the form of a soft loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and $50 million will be in the form of a grant. From the Global Concessional Fund (GCFF), which is administered by the World Bank and provides concessional financing to middle-income countries hosting large numbers of refugees.

The water project aims to support the government in improving the services and efficiency of the water sector by working to rehabilitate water distribution networks, reduce waste rates, and improve energy efficiency and drought management system.

The components of the project are summarized in the sustainable reduction of water loss rates, raising energy efficiency, reducing the costs of water supply to water pumping stations, and developing measures related to water security that will conserve water resources and increase the efficiency of its use. .

Toukan praised the World Bank Group for its ongoing partnership with the Jordanian government and its support for reform and development needs in Jordan. She indicated that this project will support the government’s efforts to implement reforms and priorities within the framework of the executive program for the economic modernization vision 2023-2025.

Karet explained that Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries in the world, noting that it is witnessing an acute water crisis that undermines economic and human development in the country. He pointed out that this funding is the first step in a series of proposed projects aimed at supporting Jordan’s efforts to treat water waste, improve energy efficiency, enhance services provided and improve the financial sustainability of the water sector, while strengthening the country’s ability to withstand climate shocks.

The Jordan Water Sector Efficiency Project is fully aligned with the recently endorsed National Sector Strategy, and the Water Sector Financial Sustainability Roadmap endorsed by the Council of Ministers in November 2022.

The project also supports the implementation of key recommendations contained in the Climate and Country Development Reports issued by the World Bank Group in Jordan, which place water sector efficiency at the top of its priorities, in addition to reducing water loss rates, improving drought risk management systems, and promoting interconnected solutions between the water and energy sectors. and water security.

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