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AMMAN — Jordan and Syria on Sunday held a meeting to update the hydro-political baseline study for the Yarmouk River.
The three-day event brings together representatives from Jordan and Syria with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), alongside international partners and water sector experts, according to a Ministry of Water and Irrigation statement.
Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority Hisham Hisa emphasised the timing of the project’s launch, which paves the way for a number of projects, considering the Yarmouk River Basin a vital model for Jordanian-Syrian cooperation.
He added that the joint management of this water resource has become a strategic necessity to ensure fair and sustainable use, thereby enhancing stability and development in both countries.
Hisa highlighted the pressing challenges facing the water sector, particularly the rising demand for water and the impacts of climate change.
He noted that the study will serve as a strategic tool to enhance integrated water resources management and support the decision-making process.
Syrian Deputy Minister of Energy for Water Affairs Osama Abu Zaid expressed his appreciation for the “constructive” cooperation between the two sides.
He noted that the project aims to boost data exchange and establish a clear, agreed-upon working methodology, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the current and future status of the Yarmouk Basin in light of environmental and climatic challenges.
Regional Cooperation Adviser at the Swiss embassy Mufleh Alalween said that the initiative underscores the commitment of both nations to enhancing knowledge and cooperation.
He pointed out that the project’s goals extend beyond producing studies to include capacity building, training water sector personnel, and supporting joint scientific research to establish a sustainable dialogue based on scientific evidence.
