At the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28), Jordan's Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud, revealed significant advancements in the National Water Carrier Project.

The project aims to alleviate Jordan's water scarcity by desalinating Red Sea water in Aqaba and distributing it to multiple regions, including Amman. Spanning 450km across Jordanian territory, this initiative will yield roughly 300 million cubic meters of sustainable desalinated water annually, ensuring a reliable water supply.

Highlighting the pivotal role of this initiative, Abu Soud said that a specialized committee of 70 engineers is scrutinizing 23 technical proposals submitted for the project. Their primary objective is to ensure these proposals align with the prescribed standards. Once the technical assessment phase concludes, the project will progress into the financial bidding phase.

He shed light on Jordan's vulnerability to climate change, conflicts, and the influx of refugees, acknowledging these pressing challenges during the climate summit. However, he underscored Jordan's resolute commitment to managing its water resources efficiently. The approach involves fostering increased participation from the private sector and leveraging cutting-edge water technologies to combat the looming water scarcity.

He emphasized the significance of Jordan's participation in the climate conference, citing it as an opportunity to broaden perspectives, share international experiences, and confront the critical issue of water scarcity. He expressed Jordan's keen interest in the Egyptian initiative for water development, tailored to adapt to the region's variable rainy seasons, based on specialized studies.

The gravity of Jordan's water scarcity became apparent as it stands as the world's second most water-scarce country. With an individual's annual share dwindling to a mere 61 cubic meters, Jordan accounts for a mere 3 percent of the global health share, as reported by the United Nations.