Latest news with #DeemaAbuThiab
Zawya
24-06-2025
- General
- Zawya
Jordanian Delegation explored 'forward looking' solutions for climate resilient, urban water management in Netherlands
AMMAN – A delegation from Jordan headed by UN-Habitat Jordan concluded last week a five-day field visit to Netherlands under 'Smart Urban Water Management' project to explore smart water solutions. The knowledge exchange mission funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Jordan, brought together national and municipal experts from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Greater Amman Municipality, Greater Irbid and Mafraq Municipalities and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. During the field visit, the delegation learnt about the Dutch expertise on managing flash floods, harvesting rainwater, and transforming urban infrastructure into green and adaptive systems, according to UN-Habitat. Head of UN-Habitat Jordan Country Programme, Deema Abu Thiab stressed that "We are not importing solutions, we are co-developing scalable models tailored for Jordan's context, such as green rooftops in Irbid, sponge gardens in Amman and smart irrigation in Mafraq." She added "We aim to mainstream nature-based solutions in urban policies and plans." Greater Amman Municipality representative, Nemeh Al Qatanani addressed the importance of the mission as Jordan is one of the world's most water-scarce countries, and its vulnerability to climate-induced flooding and drought has reached a tipping point. She said that "Water Square is not hidden underground or fenced off, it is human-centered resilience, integrating stormwater retention with recreation, learning and civic pride." Hydrologist at the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Alaa Hawamdeh, said "The visit offered inspiring lessons in transforming urban- related water challenges into opportunities." She added "We saw football fields that double as rainwater reservoirs, and rooftops that are not just green but also functional and climate responsive." The participants outlined a knowledge exchange roadmap and are planning "pilot" initiatives for Jordanian cities; a toolkit of Urban Green Infrastructure Typologies is now under development, translating Dutch innovation into local action, according to UN-Habitat. The Ministry of Environment representative, Sarah Al-Haleeq, noted that "The practical assignment bridged theory with practice". She added "It was a bold reminder that small interventions, when guided by sound policies and local plans and implemented through a participatory approach, can trigger systemic change." For his part, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at World Waternet, Kees van der Lugt, emphasised the "importance" of system thinking and long-term collaboration in sustainable water management. Regional Director said "Peer-to-peer cooperation and a full water cycle approach are key to mainstreaming the implementation of green infrastructure," He added that "Sustainable impact emerges when knowledge and responsibility are shared across cities and sectors." During the Rotterdam site visit, the delegation saw the "multifunctional" public spaces, such as the iconic Benthemplein Water Square, as well as innovative and smart approach to city planning and urban design can contribute to enhancing water security. Greater Irbid Municipality representative, Rabab Ali "We must transform Irbid into a sponge city, where rainfall becomes a resource, not a risk." Mafraq Municipality representative, Suhaib Al-Harasheh, talked about the insights were practical and inspiring. He said "By harvesting rainwater in public spaces and greening them, we can create multifunctional areas that mitigate climate impacts, address water scarcity, enhance food security and foster inclusive community Greater Amman Municipality representative, Tamam Al-Hussami, said "It was a walk through the greener future, where research and engineering converge to create deployable, smart urban water solutions."
Ammon
16-04-2025
- Business
- Ammon
UN-Habitat, UNDP announce project to advance inclusive development in Jordan
Ammon News - *Advancing inclusive development through digital transformation and community empowerment UN-Habitat and UNDP, in collaboration with OHCHR, the Cities and Villages Development Bank (CVDB), and other national partners, launched the joint project 'Pathways to Inclusive Development: Bridging Data, Participation, and Human Rights for the Localization of the SDGs', which is designed to accelerate the localization of SDGs in Jordan through data, participation, and project, part of the Joint SDG Fund, addresses two key challenges facing Jordan: weak disaggregated data and disconnected decision-making. It aims to strengthen participatory data systems and foster coordination between local and national actors for inclusive development.'By integrating digital tools with human rights-based planning, we are enabling communities to participate and lead in Jordan's sustainable development path,' said Deema Abu Thiab, Head of the UN-Habitat Jordan Country her part, the Resident Representative of UNDP Jordan, Randa Aboul-Hosn, welcomed the launch of the project, emphasising that this joint initiative reflects a shared commitment to accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Jordan and supporting national development priorities with greater efficiency and impact. The project supports Irbid's urban observatory and national data platforms such as Tanmiah and the Jordan Development Portal to mainstream SDG indicators and enhance policy coherence.'Our role as co-chair reflects the importance of local finance in transforming development frameworks into real impact,' said Dr. Mohammad Al-Harahsheh, Acting General Manager, Cities and Villages Development Bank. Moving forward, the project will implement pilot activities, capacity-building sessions, and participatory workshops to ensure that all stakeholders engage actively in SDG localization.
Ammon
27-02-2025
- General
- Ammon
UN-Habitat Jordan launches Amman's Second Voluntary Local Review
Ammon News - *Advancing Urban Resilience and Smart Sustainable Development As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting cities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Jordan (UN-Habitat), in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) and the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM), has officially launched the development process for Amman's Second Voluntary Local Review (VLR). The announcement was made during a high-level workshop in Amman, bringing together experts, policymakers, and international stakeholders to assess progress, identify key priorities, and reinforce Amman's transformation into a resilient, smart, and sustainable city. This launch is part of the 'Urban Economic Resilience for Inclusive Responses and Recovery from Crises' project, led by ESCWA in collaboration with UN-Habitat, further aligning Amman's urban policies with global sustainability frameworks and local development priorities. Eng. Deema Abu Thiab, Head of UN-Habitat Jordan Country Programme, emphasized: 'With only five years remaining until 2030, the urgency of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals has never been greater. Cities worldwide face accelerating environmental, economic, and social challenges, making sustainable urban planning more critical than ever. By launching its second VLR, Amman continues to lead the way as a pioneering city in the region, embracing innovation and fostering strategic partnerships to secure a more resilient and livable future for all its residents.' In 2022, Amman became the first Arab city to conduct a VLR, establishing itself as a regional leader in localizing global development agendas. The second VLR builds on this achievement by incorporating new methodologies, performance indicators, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms, ensuring a more comprehensive and actionable roadmap for sustainable urban growth. Dr. Sukaina Al-Nasrawi, Lead of the Sustainable Urban Development Portfolio at ESCWA, stated: 'By pioneering the first VLR in the Arab world, Amman set a precedent for localizing the SDGs. Today, with its second VLR, the city reaffirms its commitment to institutionalizing the process as a key mechanism for urban governance. This initiative strengthens the bridge between local and national policies, offering an inspiring model for sustainable urban management.' The second VLR will analyze Amman's resilience to economic shocks, explore smart governance strategies, and promote inclusive urban development. It will also serve as a collaborative platform, engaging government entities, private sector actors, and civil society to co-create innovative and sustainable urban solutions. By assessing progress, identifying gaps, and formulating forward-thinking policies, Amman's second VLR will reinforce the city's role as a global leader in urban sustainability and resilience.
