Environment, Energy, Planning Ministers, meet with Climate Funds officials on sidelines of COP29

Amman – On the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP29) held in Baku, Azerbaijan, Ministers of Environment, Muawieh Radaideh, Energy and Mineral Resources, Saleh Kharabsheh, and Planning and International Cooperation, Zeina Toukan, held meetings on Wednesday with climate funds and partners to discuss ways to support Jordan’s development plans, emission reduction strategies, and urgent mechanisms to enhance resilience against climate change, with a key focus on the National Water Carrier Project.اضافة اعلان

During their meeting with Kavita Sinha, Director of the Private Sector Facility (PSF) at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), they discussed the GCF's support for the National Water Carrier Project, which represents a strategic solution to Jordan's severe water scarcity and aligns with the country's Economic Modernization Vision (EMV).

Minister Radaideh emphasized that the "National Water Carrier" is a vital project to address Jordan's water shortage, noting that the country's per capita water share stands at approximately 61 cubic meters per year, far below the global water poverty line, and continues to decline. He highlighted that the project would improve Jordan's economic situation and alleviate pressures on its host community, where refugees constitute one-third of the population.

Minister Toukan reiterated the importance of the project as a top national priority, emphasizing its link to the challenges posed by the refugee influx and its impact on infrastructure and essential services.

Sinha, for her part, affirmed that the project is a priority for the GCF and reiterated the Fund's commitment to supporting it in coordination with international partners to bridge the financing gap and secure additional resources.

Meanwhile, Minister Kharabsheh reviewed Jordan’s progress in transitioning to renewable energy, noting that renewable sources now account for approximately 27% of the country's total energy mix. He also highlighted plans to ensure that 50% of the project's energy requirements will be met through environmentally sustainable, renewable sources.

In a related meeting with Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), discussions focused on expanding future cooperation with Jordan in clean energy transformation, green industrial projects, strategic investments, and energy storage initiatives, particularly the National Water Carrier. The talks also explored green investment and financing collaboration aligned with Jordan’s EMV, Climate Investment Plan, National Adaptation Plans, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Additionally, a meeting was held with Andrew McDowell, Director Genral of EIB Global, part of the European Investment Bank (EIB) that delivers investment and advisory services outside of the EU, to explore investment opportunities in Jordan, especially in the energy sector, and to support the implementation of the national strategy for the mining sector while ensuring private sector engagement.

The ministers also met with Abdullah Al Dardari, Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Bureau for Arab States, to discuss key areas of cooperation, particularly new programs focusing on financing sustainable development goals, as well as mechanisms for funding Jordan’s Integrated National Financing Framework for economic modernization and public sector visions' reform priorities.