Khaberni - The project launch meeting for the “Update of the Hydro-Political Reference Study for Yarmouk River” began on Sunday in Amman, Jordan, from 19 to 21 April 2026, with participation from Jordanian and Syrian representatives supported by the Swiss agency SDC, alongside international partners and water sector experts.
The Secretary-General of the Jordan Valley Authority, Hisham Al-Haisa, emphasized the importance of the project's timing, which initiates several projects, considering that the Yarmouk River basin represents a vital model for Jordanian-Syrian cooperation.
He added that the joint management of this water resource has become a strategic necessity to ensure fair and sustainable use, thereby enhancing stability and development in both countries.
Al-Haisa pointed out the challenges facing the water sector, especially with the increasing demand for water and the impacts of climate change, explaining that this study will serve as a strategic tool to enhance integrated water resource management and support the decision-making process.
In turn, the Deputy Minister for Water Affairs in the Syrian Arab Republic, Osama Abu Zaid, expressed his appreciation for the constructive cooperation between the sides, noting that the project will enhance data exchange and establish a clear and agreed-upon methodology, contributing to building a comprehensive understanding of the current and future situation of the Yarmouk basin amid environmental and climate challenges, and improving the water situation to benefit both countries.
On his part, the Director of the Water Diplomacy Center, Moutaz Obaidat, explained that the center, which was established with the initiative of the Blue Peace and the support of the Swiss Agency for Development at the University of Science and Technology, acts as an effective platform for providing expertise and developing mechanisms for implementing joint projects, adopting approaches to enhance collaborative cooperation to address shared challenges in the Yarmouk basin.
The Regional Cooperation Advisor at the Swiss Embassy, Mufleh Al-Alwan, affirmed that the initiative emphasizes both sides' commitment to enhancing knowledge and cooperation, pointing out that the project's goals are not only to produce studies but also to build capacities and train personnel working in the water sector, in addition to supporting joint scientific research, thereby establishing a sustainable dialogue based on scientific evidence.
