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Jordan has been and will
continue to face challenges in its water sector. Water
supply for agricultural, domestic, and industrial use,
as well as for protection of the environment has not
kept pace with rapid population and economic growth, and
it is through this website that we will try to
illustrate and bring our water issues to a wider
audience, focusing on water efficiently, including new
technologies, infrastructure, and the influence of
cultural and socio-economic factors on water policy The
amount of available water for Jordanians today is well
below the water poverty line of one thousand cubic
meters per capita per annum and is not expected increase
in the near future. Substantial capital investment to
augment water supplies is needed to keep up with
increasing water demands. Substantial capital investment
is needed will to develop new water supplies. This
increase is beyond our affordability and capability. We
have to also consider the possible impact on food
production, health and environment. This precarious
situation binds us all into cooperation and
collaboration. The need for leadership, good governance
and partnership in regulating consumption and creating a
more efficient water sector has never been more
necessary. It has to be done with equity and justice,
keeping in mind the poor.
We, in Jordan, are already following His Majesty King
Abdullah's vision with respect to the need for
accelerated, non-bureaucratic, and transparent decision
making processes. We therefore have lunched a fully
computerizes National Water Master Plan. This is the
first state-of-the-art technology-driven; National Water
Master Plan is based on
integrated water resource management principles. It has
the flexibility of customization to meet any necessary
developments within water and other related sectors. It
also addresses issues in a more holistic manner
including resource and demand management, institutional,
legal, socio-economic, environmental and trans-boundary
considerations. It also allows for private sector
participation.
I would also like to take this opportunity and highlight
an important environmental and water initiative. The
Dead Sea considered a unique international treasure
valued for its environmental, cultural and economic
impact on the region, is today perhaps the most visible
example of water and environmental degradation. It is
diminishing at an exceptional rate with inevitable
impact on efforts to alleviate social and economic
conditions for the people of the region. If the current
trend continues, it will virtually disappear by the
middle of this century.
Jordan, with the support of regional and international
partners, has taken the lead in efforts to protect the
Dead Sea and produce substantial non-conventional
freshwater supplies and generate electricity to the
region through the realization of an initiative known as
“Protecting the Dead Sea”. As costs are significant,
international and private sector investment would be
required. I believe that this initiative should be
viewed as an exceptional opportunity for cooperation and
partnership among nations in addressing our common
environmental and water challenges.
Finally, I hope that this website will bridge the
information gap, as much as possible, in such a way that
will form the basis for the economic decisions aiming at
supporting the march of development in this precious
homeland and to discover Jordan's numerous capabilities.
Our aim is to develop a vision that goes beyond crisis
management to long-term sustainability.
Minister of Water and Irrigation
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
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