Minister urges international cooperation to combat desertification, water scarcity

AMMAN — Deputising His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud attended the One Planet Summit in Riyadh, held between December 3 and 4.

The summit focused on promoting international cooperation on pressing issues including water, climate, biodiversity, pollution, desertification, and drought, bringing together international leaders, the United Nations, and international organisations, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

Abu Saud underscored the Arab region's mounting challenges, noting that over 82 per cent of its land is at risk of degradation, with 20 per cent threatened by desertification due to climate change and erratic rainfall.

He also cautioned that by 2050, three out of four people in the region could face severe water scarcity, urging increased investment in shared water resources and cooperative approaches to address these crises.

Abu Saud highlighted Jordan's proactive efforts to combat water shortages, including the National Water Carrier Project, which relies on renewable energy to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

"The project leverages renewable energy to enhance water sustainability, improve supply efficiency, and expand wastewater treatment to international standards," he said adding that treated water is reused for restricted agricultural purposes, preserving potable water supplies for drinking.

He also drew attention to Jordan’s unprecedented water challenges, with per capita availability at just 61 cubic metres annually—the lowest globally.

The minister also commended Jordan's water sector for achieving excellence in service delivery, citing the rehabilitation of water networks, loss reduction initiatives, and high service coverage rates—94 per cent for water supply and 68 per cent for sanitation.

Abu Saud also called for intensified international efforts to combat desertification, emphasising the importance of innovative and sustainable solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure a resilient future.