In a landmark move, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has pledged its largest-ever investment to date—$295 million in grants and loans—to support Jordan’s ambitious Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. Valued at $6 billion, this initiative is set to become one of the world’s largest desalination efforts, aiming to produce 300 million cubic meters of freshwater annually.
The project is designed to serve nearly half of Jordan’s population, addressing the country’s severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change and declining rainfall. Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the GCF, hailed the project as transformative, emphasizing its potential to reshape Jordan’s water future.
Beyond the GCF’s contribution, the project is expected to attract substantial international backing. The United States has committed $300 million in grants and $1 billion in loans, with additional support anticipated from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), private investors, and regional partners.
Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Abu Soud, described the initiative as a strategic national priority. Officials estimate that the GCF’s involvement will reduce water production costs by $0.10 per liter and save the government up to $1 billion over the project’s lifespan.
Led by the Meridiam-SUEZ consortium, the project is a cornerstone of Jordan’s long-term strategy to secure climate-resilient water resources. It was part of a broader $1.4 billion funding package approved by the GCF during its recent board meeting in South Korea, which included 24 global projects.
As the international community prepares for COP30 in Brazil, Jordan’s desalination project stands out as a model for how climate finance can drive sustainable development and address critical resource challenges in vulnerable regions.
(Source: Global Flow Control)