The Water Diplomacy Center (WDC), a regional hub for research, dialogue, and capacity development in transboundary water governance based at Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST), was honored to welcome Her Excellency Ms. Emilija Georgieva, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. She was accompanied by Eng. Mufleh Alawaleen, Regional Advisor for Water Cooperation and Diplomacy, along with members of the Swiss delegation.
The visit reflected the strong and long-standing partnership between Switzerland and Jordan in promoting sustainable water governance and advancing regional cooperation under the Blue Peace Middle East initiative.
During the visit, Ambassador Georgieva was received by Prof. Khalid El-Salem, President of JUST, and met with Prof. Mutawakil Obeidat, Director of the WDC, along with the Center's staff, the Blue Peace Middle East team, and MSc students in Water Diplomacy. The discussions highlighted the Center's pivotal role in advancing joint research, innovation, and policy dialogue to foster cooperative management of shared water resources across the region.
In addition to the high-level discussions, Ambassador Georgieva met with the MSc students in Water Diplomacy, listening to their experiences, aspirations, and future visions as emerging professionals in the field. The students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with the Ambassador, acknowledging the significance of the program for the region and for the Blue Peace countries — Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Türkiye. They extended their gratitude to the Government of Switzerland for supporting this educational opportunity and emphasized their commitment to becoming ambassadors of water diplomacy and regional cooperation in their respective countries.
Moreover, Ambassador Georgieva engaged in a dynamic exchange with WDC researchers and staff, commending their dedication to addressing the region's pressing water challenges through science-based cooperation and education. She emphasized that the Water Diplomacy Center serves as a unique regional platform for fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and dialogue, underscoring its important contribution to the Blue Peace Middle East Capacity Development Project, supported by the Government of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
In her remarks, Ambassador Georgieva praised the Water Diplomacy Center as a regional hub for collaboration, dialogue, and scientific exchange, highlighting how the Center's work is igniting positive change and fostering a community of future leaders in water cooperation.
The Blue Peace Middle East Capacity Development Project (2023–2026), implemented by JUST through the Water Diplomacy Center, represents a multi-year partnership aimed at strengthening institutional sustainability, advancing water diplomacy education and training, promoting research on shared water resources—such as the Yarmouk River Basin, Azraq Aquifer, and WEFE Nexus—and enhancing regional dialogue among the six Blue Peace countries.
Since its establishment, the Water Diplomacy Center has become a cornerstone for regional cooperation, offering postgraduate education, professional training, and applied research opportunities that integrate science, policy, and diplomacy. Through these efforts, the Center continues to build bridges between academia and practice, empowering future leaders to promote peaceful and sustainable water management across the region.
This visit reaffirmed Switzerland's continued commitment to fostering peace, sustainability, and resilience through strategic partnerships with JUST and the Water Diplomacy Center, further solidifying the WDC's position as a cornerstone of regional cooperation and capacity development.
