Jordan: Preparations under way for water conference

Preparations are under way for the 6th International Water Association (IWA) Conference on Efficient Use and Management of Water, slated to be held in the capital early next year, according to Jordanian officials.

The Ministry of Water and Irrigation has called on public, private and civic institutions from across the world to take part in the event to exchange scientific and professional experiences.

The IWA conference, held every two years, is a global event that gathers hundreds of international water experts.

Jordan was announced as the 2011 host country at the IWA’s last conference in Sydney in October last year in recognition of its water conservation and efficiency programmes and projects, water officials said previously.

The conference, which will be held between March 29 and April 2 in cooperation with the IWA and USAID, will present the experiences of different countries in water demand management, improving water use efficiency and dealing with the challenges of drought, according to a USAID statement.

The event also aims to tackle water demand management challenges and opportunities.

The conference will present an opportunity for sharing expertise and water efficiency programmes, which will help improve water use in Jordan, categorised as the fourth poorest nation in the world in terms of water availability, Zu’bi pointed out.

An arid country, more than 70 per cent of the Kingdom’s area receives less than 100mm of rainfall annually. Consequently, water is the most critical natural resource, as virtually all aspects of sustainable economic, social and political development in the country depend on the availability of an adequate water supply.