Amman:A workshop organized by the Higher Council for Science and Technology delved into transforming Jordan's water, energy, food, and ecosystem priorities into actionable research projects and well-coordinated policies.
According to Jordan News Agency, the workshop gathered representatives from government institutions, universities, research centers, the private sector, and international partners. This assembly is part of a community of practice established by the council with support from the German development agency GIZ, aiming to enhance cooperation and knowledge sharing across the four interconnected sectors.
The initiative seeks to promote integrated planning and decision-making amid increasing pressure on Jordan's natural resources. Council Secretary-General Mashhour Rifai highlighted that the community would link researchers and specialists with policymakers, support evidence-based recommendations, and aid in translating national priorities into practical solutions. It is also designed to foster learning, share successful practices, and build institutional partnerships.
The governance framework for the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus, established at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation with GIZ support, underpins the network. Jasmin Freischlad, director of GIZ's Water Sector Governance Program, emphasized the council's longstanding strategic partnership in research and innovation, alongside GIZ's backing for Jordanian research on the nexus approach.
Mohammad Wedyan, president of the National Center for Research and Development, described the center's involvement in translating national strategies into research and applied projects. He mentioned Safawi station as a testing ground for sustainable agriculture in arid environments, experimenting with hydroponics, aquaculture, rainwater harvesting, solar energy, agrivoltaics, smart technologies, and the Internet of Things.
A panel discussion during the workshop addressed priorities, partnerships, and practical solutions for the new community of practice. Participants included representatives from the Jordan Society for Scientific Research, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship, the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management, the Jordan University of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and NEX-SUS for Sustainability Solutions.
Brendon Bingwa, an agrivoltaics project manager at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, alongside William Alkhoury of the National Agricultural Research Center, discussed the potential for agrivoltaics, which combines farming with solar power generation, and the steps toward its implementation in Jordan.