GTZ Launches new water programme in Jordan

Source: The Star-Jordan

AMMAN (Star)—Under the patronage of HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal, the Citadel witnessed last week a Gala celebrating over 30 years of GTZ (German Technical Cooperation—Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Technische Zusammenarbeit GmbH) in Jordan. Under the motto “Knowledge powers development—sharing experiences, shaping future”, the new GTZ Water Program in Jordan was launched. The over 300 guests were welcomed by Dr Klaus Burkhardt, the ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Jordan. He emphasized that development cooperation plays an essential role in the longstanding and trustful relations between Germany and Jordan, and its role in actively supporting the Kingdom’s social and economic development. GTZ Country Director in Jordan and the Palestinian Territories, Mr Joachim Prey, gave a presentation on GTZ’s work and services around the globe, and specifically in the Mediterranean and Middle East region. Concluding his speech Prey outlined the role of GTZ together with its Jordanian partners in promoting and working towards sustainable development in Jordan. The Minister of Water & Irrigation, Thafer Al-Alem, saluted the German Jordanian Technical Cooperation, and highlighted the achievements reached so far in the water sector. He added that he was looking forward to the continuation of the successful cooperation between the two governments and under the new Water Program. Head of GTZ Water Program in Jordan, Dr Uwe Stoll, said that the water sector has been the focal area of German- Jordanian development cooperation over the past few years. He outlined that the new joint Water Program was initiated in close cooperation with the Jordanian Government to unify current projects and new components under one umbrella, and thus to increase synergy effects of project activities. Through its sector-wide and multilevel approach, the program aims to support Jordan’s efforts at effectively managing its scarce water resources In her keynote speech, HRH Princess Basma commended GTZ’s role as a significant contributor to Jordan’s development process for the past thirty years, pointing out that long-term development requires consistency and the application of lesson-learning. She also congratulated GTZ for its ability to adapt its approach to the local context, and to involve local people in their own development process. In particular she noted how GTZ has encouraged local farmers to play an active role in protecting and safeguarding scarce water resources to ensure their availability for future generations. In her closing remarks, HRH expressed her wish that the partnership between Jordan and GTZ would continue, leading to sustained economic and social development in a context of peace in Jordan and the region. The guests were also invited to visit a photo exhibition in the Citadel’s Umayyad Palace displaying the achievements of GTZ’s work in Jordan over the past 30 years. The event was accompanied by live Arabian music. Germany is one of Jordan’s main cooperation partners in various development programs, with total aid amounting to more than €1billion. Since 1975, more than €200 million have been spent on technical assistance. GTZ, now concentrates its efforts on promoting sustainable use and integrated management of the precious water resources in Jordan. Other current GTZ projects in Jordan are Financial Management Reform, and Poverty Alleviation through Municipal Development.