First meeting of the Steering Committee for Sustainable Water Resources Management Project
Ramallah: The first meeting of the Steering Committee for Sustainable Water Resources Management Project was held at the headquarters of the Water Authority, chaired by Minister of Water, Dr. Ziyad al-Mimi. The meeting was attended by Deputy Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, representing Minister Hossam Talib, along with Ruth Müller, Deputy Director of German Cooperation, Natalie Bartelt, Program Director at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and Mr. Mohammad al-Hmaidi, Head of Water Sector Regulatory Council, in addition to relevant specialists from Water Authority and GIZ.
This meeting comes as an affirmation to the depth of German-Palestinian cooperation, in supporting good governance of water resources, especially with the initiation of the project by the beginning of 2025. The project aims at developing policies for using unconventional water sources, enhancing governance, and improving the efficiency of water service providers through planning and modern management programs. The meeting comes with active participation from ministries, authorities, and academic and private sectors.
The Steering Committee reviewed the achieved progress in the programs related to the project, including the preparation for a high-level ministerial dialogue, implementation of capacity programs in the domain of water reuse, supporting institutional transformation for Jerusalem Water Undertaking and other service providers to improve water and sanitation services, and the transition to utilities, in addition to pilot field projects in the rainwater harvesting, sludge drying, and improving tertiary treatment for secure reuse of treated wastewater. Technical solutions were also discussed to address the needs of the next phase, and to ensure that activities are aligned with national priorities.
Participants emphasized that the project serves as a key milestone in enhancing water security in Palestine, and developing a sustainable infrastructure capable of encountering water and climate challenges. They stressed the importance of continuous coordination among partners to achieve tangible results that serve Palestinian communities, and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient management of water resources.