By : JD
Jordan Daily – Jordan and the Netherlands signed a €31 million grant agreement on Thursday to support the Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, a key initiative to improve the country’s water security.
The agreement was signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and Dutch Ambassador Harry Verweij, representing the Netherlands’ development financier Invest International. The European Investment Bank (EIB), represented by Souad Farsi, will manage the agreement.
“Making additional, non-groundwater available through desalination is crucial for water security in Jordan,” said Verweij. “The Netherlands is a global leader in water management and technology, and a reliable partner to Jordan.”
EIB Vice-President Gelsomina Vigliotti said the grant highlights “our shared commitment to ensuring access to safe and sustainable water resources” and will expand the bank’s impact in Jordan through the Water Sector Fund.
Petra Vernooij, Director of Public Infrastructure at Invest International, said the initiative “demonstrates our commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation and collaboration.”
Water Minister Raed Abu Saud said the project, which will desalinate 300 million cubic meters annually from the Red Sea, is progressing as planned. It aims to meet the needs of around 4 million people and reduce pressure on groundwater resources.
The pipeline will deliver desalinated water from the Gulf of Aqaba to Amman and other governorates including Ma’an, Tafileh, Karak, and Madaba.
Toukan praised the Netherlands’ support, calling the project “an important source of water” that will also contribute to Jordan’s green economic growth under the Team Europe initiative.
