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The kick-off meeting of the “Updating the Hydropolitical Baseline Study of the Yarmouk Tributary of the Jordan River" project commenced today, Sunday, in Amman, Jordan, and will continue from 19 to 21 April 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from the Jordanian and Syrian sides, with support from the Government of Switzerland, implemented by the Water Diplomacy Center, hosted at Jordan University of Science and Technology, in cooperation with international partners and water sector experts.

Secretary General of the Jordan Valley Authority, Eng. Hesham AlHissah, emphasized the importance of the project's timing, noting that it marks the launch of several upcoming projects. He described the Yarmouk Basin as a vital model for Jordanian-Syrian cooperation.

He added that the joint management of this shared water resource has become a strategic necessity to ensure fair and sustainable use, while enhancing stability and development in both countries.

Eng. AlHissah also highlighted the challenges facing the water sector, particularly increasing water demand and the impacts of climate change. He explained that this study will serve as a strategic tool to strengthen integrated water resources management and support informed decision-making.

The Deputy Minister of Energy for Water Resources Affairs in Syria, Eng. Osama Abu Zaid, expressed his appreciation for the constructive cooperation between the two sides. He noted that the project will enhance data exchange and establish a clear and mutually agreed working methodology, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the current and future status of the Yarmouk Basin amid environmental and climatic challenges, while improving water conditions for the benefit of both countries.

The Director of the Water Diplomacy Center, Prof. Mutawakil Obeidat, explained that the Center, established under the Blue Peace Initiative and supported by the Government of Switzerland at Jordan University of Science and Technology, serves as an effective platform for providing expertise, developing mechanisms for implementing joint projects, and adopting approaches that strengthen participatory cooperation to address shared challenges in the Yarmouk Basin.

Regional Cooperation Advisor at the Swiss Embassy to Jordan, Eng. Mufleh Alalaween, also affirmed that the project reflects both sides' commitment to strengthening knowledge and cooperation. He noted that the project's objectives go beyond producing studies to include capacity building, training professionals working in the water sector, and supporting joint scientific research, thereby fostering sustainable dialogue based on scientific evidence.

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