Jordan: GTZ launches new water programme
(From: Stuart Schoenfeld)
Jordan Times 06ssep22
By Cheryl Haines
AMMAN — The German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) launched a new water
programme on Wednesday at a ceremony celebrating more than 30 years of
partnership between Jordan and the GTZ.
Under the slogan, “Knowledge Powers Development,” the programme marks an
important step in resource development between the government and the GTZ.
“The management of scarce resources in a sustainable matter,” German Ambassador
Klaus Burkhardt told the 300-strong audience, is the focal point of the new
programme. Praising the country’s impressive modernisation and knowledge-based
economy as a model in the Middle East, Burkhardt emphasised the GTZ’s support in
the areas of social and economic development, and, since 2001, in water
management.
In her keynote address, HRH Princess Basma commended the GTZ’s important
contribution to Jordan’s social and economic development through the past 30
years, pointing out that long-term development requires consistency and the
application of lesson learning.
“Their approach throughout their operations has been that they design their
projects based on local level realities, according to local needs... in order
to achieve this, they listen to local voices. They work with local institutions
to ensure sustainability after project support has phased out,” the Princess
told dignitaries and businesspeople gathered at the Citadel.
Adding that the GTZ’s institutional memory is a unique resource among
development agencies in Jordan, Princess Basma lauded GTZ’s longstanding
commitment within Jordan, and continued emphasis on social and economic
development.
The GTZ “works directly with consumers” she noted, “helping poor and
marginalised farmers in the Jordan Valley have control over the ways they use
water. By helping set up water-user groups and then creating opportunities for
them to engage with bodies such as the Jordan Valley Authority... farmers are
taking more responsibility for operating and maintaining irrigation systems...
they are protecting and conserving this scarce and valuable resource for
generations to come.”
Minister of Water and Irrigation Thafer Alem also commended the GTZ,
illustrating the various milestones reached thus far in Jordan’s water sector
in his speech.
During Wednesday evening’s event, GTZ Country Director in Jordan Joachim Prey
gave a presentation of the agency’s work and services through the Middle East
and Mediterranean regions. He outlined the role of the GTZ in Jordan together
with its national partners in promoting and working together towards
sustainable development in the country.
Incorporating what Prey called a “multifaceted approach,” GTZ aims to work with
both governmental and private sectors to offer greater synergies and the
unification of current projects in maximising positive impact in Jordan’s water
infrastructure.
He added that incorporating sustainable methods of resource management was a
focal point of the programme, necessitating the protection of the country’s
“precious natural resource” as an important part of corporate social
responsibility.
In addition, Uwe Stoll, head of the GTZ Water Programme in Jordan, presented the
programme’s main areas of concentration. Developing and promoting infrastructure
efficiency, resource protection, institutional restructuring of the water sector
and private sector participation constitute the programme’s focal points.
The event included a photo exhibition in the Citadel’s Umayyad Palace displaying
the GTZ’s achievements in Jordan over the past 30 years and a traditional
musical performance.
Germany is one of Jordan’s main cooperation partners in various development
programmes, with total aid amounting to more than 1.0 billion euros, according
to a German embassy statement.
Since 1975, more than 200 million euros have been spent on technical assistance.
The GTZ is now focusing its efforts on promoting sustainable use and integrated
management of water resources in the country.
Other current projects are financial management reform, and poverty alleviation
through municipal development.