AMMAN — Jordan and the United Kingdom on Monday signed a 5.3-million euro memorandum of understanding to support the National Water Carrier project.

 

The agreement, signed by Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan and British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall, falls under the UK's Water Adaptation, Desalination and Infrastructure Programme.

 

The ministry said the funding will help strengthen sustainable water resource management in Jordan, improve resilience to climate change, and ensure a safe and continuous water supply.

 

Toukan described the project as a strategic initiative aligned with the Economic Modernisation Vision, emphasising that water infrastructure is essential for sustainable growth and long-term adaptation, according to a statement from the Ministry of Planning.

 

The British envoy highlighted that the memorandum reaffirms the Jordanian-British partnership and their shared commitment to enhancing water resilience, governance, and sustainable infrastructure across Jordan, the statement said.

 

In addition to the grant, the UK has established a risk management facility to provide technical support to the National Water Carrier Project Management Unit. The facility is designed to help the unit anticipate, assess and manage emerging risks, ensuring more effective project implementation and optimal use of resources, Petra added.

 

Earlier the day, the Ministry of Water and Irrigation said that negotiations were still underway with relevant stakeholders to complete the financial closure of the National Water Carrier project, which is expected to be finalised soon.

 

Spokesperson Omar Salameh said that once the financial closure is achieved, implementation work on the project will commence.

 

The Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, also known as the National Carrier Project, will desalinate water from the Red Sea starting from the Gulf of Aqaba, ensuring drinking water supply to Amman and Aqaba while serving other governorates along the pipeline route, including Maan, Tafileh, Karak, and Madaba.

 

The project will provide a reliable water supply of 300 million cubic metres annually to much of the Kingdom, improving water distribution, alleviating pressure on existing resources, and helping to replenish over-extracted aquifers to ensure a sustainable and reliable water supply for Jordan's future.