On November 3, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), represented by the Water Diplomacy Center and in collaboration with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands, launched a training course titled "Water Conflict: Negotiations and Mediation" with participation from local, regional, and international attendees. This course is part of the "Blue Peace Middle East Capacity Development Project," supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and is delivered by experts and academics specializing in water and water diplomacy.

The course was inaugurated on behalf of JUST President Prof. Khalid El-Salem by Vice President Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni, with the attendance of faculty and administrative members, as well as participants from Blue Peace countries and various ministries. This year's attendees include researchers, engineers from the water and agriculture sectors, and diplomats. In his welcome address, Prof. Al-Ajlouni emphasized the importance of the two-week course, which aims to enhance participants' skills in negotiation, mediation, and conflict management for shared water resources. He praised the role of the Water Diplomacy Center and its success in conducting multiple activities this year despite challenges, and expressed gratitude to the Swiss Agency for their continued support.

Prof. Mutawakil Obeidat, Director of the Water Diplomacy Center, highlighted the course's role within the Blue Peace Project for the Middle East, noting the importance of topics such as water geopolitics and hydrology in understanding the complex nature of water conflicts in the region. “The program includes lectures, group activities, case studies, and a field trip to blend theory with practical application" he added. Prof. Obeidat also happily announced the successful launch of the Master of Science in Water Diplomacy program, which began this year. Out of 10 accepted students, 8 are from Blue Peace countries and have received the WDC grant, a fully funded scholarship, marking a strong start for the program. Additionally, Prof. Obeidat announced an upcoming workshop titled "Advancing Water Diplomacy for Peace and Justice," set to take place during the course period, in collaboration with Newcastle University (UK) and the Geneva Water Hub.

In his speech, Dr. Alex Meland, from IHE Delft, expressed gratitude to the Water Diplomacy Center (WDC) at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) for hosting this capacity-building program, supported by Blue Peace Middle East and funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation. Meland highlighted the newly launched Master of Science in Water Diplomacy, the first of its kind in the region, which equips students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills in water diplomacy to foster cross-border cooperation. He noted the ongoing professional course on Water Conflict: Negotiations and Mediation, which aligns with SDG 6.5 and aims to enhance participants' understanding of transboundary water challenges and conflict resolution. Dr. Meland acknowledged the contributions of the WDC team, JUST leadership, Blue Peace Middle East partners, and other distinguished speakers and experts, including representatives from West Asia and beyond. He expressed appreciation for their commitment to advancing regional water cooperation, hoping the sessions would be productive and impactful.

In his opening speech, Eng. Mufleh Al Alaween, the Regional Water Advisor at the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, emphasized the foundational role of the Water Diplomacy Center, established in 2019 and hosted by the Jordan University of Science and Technology, in institutionalizing water management in the Middle East. He highlighted the center's three key pillars: education, capacity building, and research. The education pillar offers a master's program to cultivate expertise, while capacity building develops professional skills in water diplomacy. The research pillar supports sustainable, evidence-based solutions to address the region's critical water challenges. Eng. Mufleh described the center as a scientific and technical hub for policy-making, akin to the IPCC's role in climate change, and expressed optimism about future collaborations and the potential expansion into North Africa to strengthen regional water diplomacy efforts.

This is the fifth course in a series of training programs organized by the WDC, targeting researchers, engineers, and diplomats from the Blue Peace Initiative countries, namely Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Jordan.