Jordan is a nation burdened with extreme water scarcity that has always been one of the biggest barriers to our economic growth and development. This crisis situation has been aggravated by a population increase that has doubled in the last two decades alone because of refugees fleeing to Jordan from neighboring countries. We must then add to this the transboundary and climate change issues affecting Jordan’s water supplies.
In the face of these challenges, and to achieve our goal of successful integration of Jordan’s water resources management, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation has been active in putting
forward new policies that set clearly defined rules to manage the scarce water resources efficiently and sustainably. These new policies lay out the measures and actions required to achieve our national goals for long-term water security. These result-oriented policies are built upon and updated from previously adopted strategies, policies, and plans. Together, they are an integral and ongoing part of the overall management efforts that have already been achieved.
This policy is the result of the efforts of working group to whom I am thankful. My team has been putting great efforts to enhance water governance that support these policies at all levels, which include enforcement of a suitable legal framework and regulatory tools, enhancing efficient institutional capacities, and supporting dynamic management plans that adapt the concepts of participation and decentralization all under the umbrella of Integrated Water Resource Management which I am sure will show results in the near future.