Latest news with #RaedAbuSoud
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan, USAID launch workshop on National Water Carrier preparatory infrastructure
AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud and Deputy Director of the Office of Water Resources and Environment at USAID in Amman Ashley King on Tuesday inaugurated a workshop focused on water resource challenges and the ongoing preparatory infrastructure for the National Water Carrier Project. Speaking at the event, Abu Soud stressed that Jordan is facing increasing water scarcity, exacerbated by a weak rainfall season and the growing impact of climate change. Despite these pressures, he said, the ministry remains committed to ensuring the delivery of water to citizens throughout the Kingdom. The National Water Carrier Project is Jordan's largest infrastructure project and one of the most ambitious internationally. It involves constructing a large-scale desalination plant in Aqaba, with an annual capacity of 300 million cubic metres. The project will feature a state-of-the-art seawater intake system along the Gulf of Aqaba, paired with a cutting-edge reverse osmosis plant to convert seawater into potable water. It will also include a 450-kilometre water transmission system to Amman, along with high-capacity pumping stations and renewable energy components. It aims to generate 31 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. Abu Soud noted that the preparatory infrastructure project involves constructing transmission lines and primary storage tanks in Amman and the northern governorates. These are designed to support the eventual integration of additional water resources from the National Water Carrier Project, a major strategic initiative to bolster Jordan's water security, the minister said. Abu Soud expressed appreciation for USAID's 'long-standing' partnership with Jordan's water sector, which has spanned over 75 years. He highlighted recent achievements, including a 7.5 per cent reduction in water loss bringing the national loss rate to 46.2 per cent and a savings of around 15 million cubic meters of water, contributing to improved supply in multiple governorates. King commended the project's progress and reiterated USAID's commitment to supporting Jordan's water sector. She stressed the urgency of preparing the infrastructure to ensure timely and effective water delivery once the carrier project becomes operational. The year 2030 may seem distant, but it is not, she said, noting the importance of addressing challenges now to secure future water availability. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan, French Development Agency discuss accelerating key water projects
AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud on Thursday met with a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD), led by its Middle East Regional Director Yves Guicquéro, to explore strategies for expediting several vital water sector initiatives. The discussions focused on advancing projects crucial to Jordan's Water Sector Strategy 2023-2040. Abu Soud highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts to fast-track projects aimed at enhancing services for citizens, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He pointed to the strategic National Carrier Project, alongside key developments including the Balqa wastewater treatment plant, valued at 75 million euros, and the Madaba wastewater treatment plant and networks, valued at 100 million euros. Other critical projects discussed were Al Sukhna and Qasabat Maan wastewater systems. The minister also referred to a project focused on improving and rehabilitating wells at the Faisal Nursery in Jerash, designed to bolster water supply in the Jerash Governorate. Discussions covered the latest progress on these undertakings, with the minister expressing anticipation for continued constructive cooperation. The AFD delegation provided an overview of the agency's contributions to financing these projects and their current work trajectory. They conveyed their satisfaction with the "constructive and fruitful cooperation" between their team and the Jordanian water sector staff. The AFD representatives stressed the agency's readiness to collaborate and coordinate with Jordan's water sector on all issues aimed at improving water and wastewater services throughout the Kingdom. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Jordan, French Development Agency discuss accelerating key water projects
Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud on Thursday meets with a delegation from the French Development Agency to explore strategies for expediting several vital water sector initiatives (Petra photo) AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud on Thursday met with a delegation from the French Development Agency (AFD), led by its Middle East Regional Director Yves Guicquéro, to explore strategies for expediting several vital water sector initiatives. The discussions focused on advancing projects crucial to Jordan's Water Sector Strategy 2023-2040. Abu Soud highlighted the ministry's ongoing efforts to fast-track projects aimed at enhancing services for citizens, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He pointed to the strategic National Carrier Project, alongside key developments including the Balqa wastewater treatment plant, valued at 75 million euros, and the Madaba wastewater treatment plant and networks, valued at 100 million euros. Other critical projects discussed were Al Sukhna and Qasabat Maan wastewater systems. The minister also referred to a project focused on improving and rehabilitating wells at the Faisal Nursery in Jerash, designed to bolster water supply in the Jerash Governorate. Discussions covered the latest progress on these undertakings, with the minister expressing anticipation for continued constructive cooperation. The AFD delegation provided an overview of the agency's contributions to financing these projects and their current work trajectory. They conveyed their satisfaction with the "constructive and fruitful cooperation" between their team and the Jordanian water sector staff. The AFD representatives stressed the agency's readiness to collaborate and coordinate with Jordan's water sector on all issues aimed at improving water and wastewater services throughout the Kingdom.
Jordan Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Project inaugurated to enhance water supplies to Amman, Zarqa
The Hallabat Water Conveyance Project, funded by the US government, seeks to boost national water supply and expand the capacity to meet growing demand, particularly in Amman and Zarqa, with a total investment of $50 million (File photo) AMMAN — Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Soud on Wednesday inaugurated the Hallabat Water Conveyance Project, a 'strategic' infrastructure initiative aimed at enhancing water supply in Amman and Zarqa. The project, funded by the US government, seeks to boost national water supply and expand the capacity to meet growing demand, particularly in Amman and Zarqa, with a total investment of $50 million, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Abu Soud expressed his gratitude to the US government for its 'generous and continued' support to the water sector, stressing the importance of strategic investments in this field. The minister described the project as 'vital' to enhancing water supply, providing 30 million cubic metres annually through the rehabilitation and drilling of 25 wells in the Hallabat well field. He said that the additional supply will help reduce the water deficit and meet the needs of around 820,000 people in the governorates of Amman and Zarqa. Abu Soud noted that the project will also provide extra quantities to other areas, as part of the ministry's broader efforts under the National Water Strategy to reduce water loss and improve supply. He added that efforts are ongoing to secure new water sources, increase the efficiency of supply and operational systems, and rehabilitate existing resources to ensure additional water reaches most regions across the Kingdom. US Chargé d'Affaires Rohit Nepal stressed the US government's commitment to partnering with Jordan in its pursuit of a more water-secure future, referring to ongoing efforts to enhance Jordan's water security by reducing water loss. The project was completed in a 'record' time of eight months and involved the rehabilitation, drilling, and development of 25 wells in the Hallabat field, Petra said. The venture is considered a 'successful' model of effective emergency response to the challenges of water scarcity in Jordan. It highlights how international partnerships, especially with the US government, along with advanced technology and improved infrastructure, can collectively contribute to meeting citizens' needs and advancing national water security goals, Petra added.
Ammon
17-05-2025
- Business
- Ammon
Minister: Water shortage threatens tourism, industry, and agriculture sectors
Ammon News - Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud, said Jordan faces "major" challenges in the water sector, adding that the annual per capita share does not exceed 60 cubic meters, one of the "lowest shares" globally, effectively making Jordan the world's most water-poor country. Abu Soud said the ministry is working on two parallel tracks to ensure Jordan's water security, indicating that the first is implementing the National Water Carrier Project, and the second aims to reduce losses and improve "efficiency" of networks using modern technologies. The minister's remarks came during a dialogue session held recently by the Jordan Economic Forum (JEF) to discuss challenges facing the Kingdom's water sector. According to a JEF statement issued Saturday, Abu Soud noted the National Water Carrier Project is one of the "largest strategic" enterprises in the Kingdom's history and is the cornerstone of "sustainable" water supply in the coming years. The project, he noted, will provide approximately 300 million cubic meters annually, which would make a fundamental difference in meeting needs of citizens and economic sectors. The minister indicated that water issue is "no longer simply a service, but rather a national security issue." If the per capita share falls below 30 cubic meters annually and the situation continues unchanged, it would have significant repercussions on all sectors, mainly tourism, industry, and agriculture sectors, he pointed out. During the session, moderated by JEF's Board Member Malak Oqili, the minister said tourism will be one of the most affected sectors, which would impact its "competitiveness" due to its need for more water that will then increase the operating costs in this industry. In the industrial sector, the minister stated that the increased cost of industrial water will place additional burdens on factories and lead to "higher" production costs, which could weaken exports competitiveness. As for the agricultural sector, he noted the decreasing water supply threatens to shrink agricultural areas and reduce production. Regarding challenges of outdated networks and modern technology, Abu Soud said the ministry is working to reduce the loss rate in networks that are suffering from deterioration, as some fixtures are more than fifty years old. Abu Soud stated the ministry aims to reduce water loss by 2% annually, equivalent to approximately 5 million cubic meters per year. The minister noted this goal is being fulfilled by replacing water networks, detecting leaks early, and controlling violations.
