Rome:Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud has called for intensified Mediterranean collaboration on water security, emphasizing that water resources should not be monopolized or used as political leverage by any country.
According to Jordan News Agency, Abu Soud made these remarks at the second Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Ministerial Meeting on Water, which took place in Rome. He highlighted water security as a regional responsibility, especially given current geopolitical tensions, and urged for the establishment of practical mechanisms to foster sustainable water management cooperation.
The meeting gathered representatives from 43 UfM member states, including European Commissioner Jessika Roswall, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and UfM Acting Secretary-General Fadi Hajali. Abu Soud expressed Jordan's support for a regional framework addressing transboundary water resources, which are crucial for food security, energy, public health, and economic development.
Abu Soud underscored Jordan's commitment to implementing the Mediterranean Water Declaration through practical measures and stressed the need for collaboration in water governance, financing, knowledge exchange, and sustainable investment. He pointed out that Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries globally and has prioritized water security by diversifying water sources and enhancing water management practices.
He also highlighted Jordan's National Water Carrier Project as a key initiative to secure additional non-conventional water resources. The minister called for practical solutions to challenges like water scarcity, drought, and climate change, and advocated for equitable access to water and sanitation services.
The minister emphasized Jordan's use of treated wastewater and non-conventional sources to alleviate pressure on freshwater resources and promote rural development. He mentioned Jordan's alignment with international legal principles on equitable water use, as demonstrated by its accession to the 1992 UN Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes.
Future regional cooperation, according to Abu Soud, should focus on knowledge exchange, governance, and sustainability. In agreement, Antonio Tajani stated Italy's commitment to enhancing regional dialogue and cooperation on water issues, viewing it as a strategic concern for the Mediterranean's future. Jessika Roswall noted the region's vulnerability to water scarcity and climate impacts, emphasizing the necessity of cooperation and financing to bolster resilience.
Fadi Hajali added that Mediterranean countries face compounded pressures from water scarcity, climate change, socioeconomic challenges, and geopolitical instability, and described the Rome meeting as pivotal in transforming political commitments into tangible outcomes.
The ministerial meeting occurred ahead of the Euro-Mediterranean Water Forum, with delegates agreeing to prioritize future cooperation in areas such as water governance, the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus, financing, digitalization, and water-climate issues. They also adopted three strategic documents to guide regional collaboration in the sector.