Jordan joins the UN Water Convention as water scarcity and climate pressures intensify
Jordan has acceded to the 1992 United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention), in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation over shared water resources in one of the world’s most water-scarce regions. The accession follows that of Iraq in 2023 and further expands participation from the region in the agreement. Jordan is the 59th Party to the UN Water Convention, joining 18 states from Africa, Asia and Latin America to have joined this treaty in the last 10 years.
Jordan faces severe water scarcity and ranks amongst the world’s water-poorest countries. Around 40% of its water resources are shared with neighbouring countries, including Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, making cooperation over transboundary surface and groundwater essential. Water management challenges continue to intensify, driven by population growth, the significant refugee population, and climate pressures. Water security is a national priority, championed at the highest political level and backed by sustained government investment in the water sector.
Despite regional geopolitical complexities, Jordan has secured bilateral agreements on several shared water resources, including the Jordan River basin, the Yarmouk River basin and the Disi-Saq aquifer basin, and has significantly improved access to safely managed drinking water, reaching 89% of the population in 2024. This progress underscores the importance of continued cooperation over shared waters.
Emphasizing the importance of accession to the Convention, Minister of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, H.E. Raed Abu Soud said: “Water is a national priority for Jordan. Joining the UN Water Convention will strengthen cooperation with our neighbors, allow us to exchange experience with countries facing similar challenges, and advance sustainable, climate-resilient water management to address the climate–refugee nexus for present and future generations. This effort also underlines Jordan’s commitment ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.”
“Jordan’s accession to the UN Water Convention sends a powerful signal of leadership in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions,” said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean. “At a time when climate change and rising demand are intensifying pressure on shared water resources, Jordan is choosing regional cooperation. The Convention offers practical tools to turn water scarcity from a source of tension into an opportunity for partnership, resilience, and peace-building.”
Jordan’s accession will contribute to advancing the implementation of the recently updated National Water Strategy 2023–2040, which sets out a long-term plan to tackle contemporary water challenges.
By joining the UN Water Convention and its community of practice, Jordan gains access to a global, legal and institutional framework for the equitable and sustainable management of domestic and transboundary waters. The Convention’s implementation will also support Jordan’s efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Jordan’s accession, reflects the significant expansion of the Convention, including in the Middle East, and draws on the positive experience shared by Iraq after its accession.
Regional partners such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Blue Peace Middle East, and the Water Diplomacy Centre provided support to the process.
For more information on the UN Water Convention see here.
Image credit: Angelica / stock.adobe.com
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Jordan joins the UN Water Convention as water scarcity and climate pressures intensify
Jordan has acceded to the 1992 United Nations Convention on the Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes (UN Water Convention), in a move aimed at strengthening cooperation over shared water resources in one of the world’s most water-scarce regions. The accession follows that of Iraq in 2023 and further expands participation from the region in the agreement. Jordan is the 59th Party to the UN Water Convention, joining 18 states from Africa, Asia and Latin America to have joined this treaty in the last 10 years.
Jordan faces severe water scarcity and ranks amongst the world’s water-poorest countries. Around 40% of its water resources are shared with neighbouring countries, including Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, the State of Palestine, Saudi Arabia and the Syrian Arab Republic, making cooperation over transboundary surface and groundwater essential. Water management challenges continue to intensify, driven by population growth, the significant refugee population, and climate pressures. Water security is a national priority, championed at the highest political level and backed by sustained government investment in the water sector.
Despite regional geopolitical complexities, Jordan has secured bilateral agreements on several shared water resources, including the Jordan River basin, the Yarmouk River basin and the Disi-Saq aquifer basin, and has significantly improved access to safely managed drinking water, reaching 89% of the population in 2024. This progress underscores the importance of continued cooperation over shared waters.
Emphasizing the importance of accession to the Convention, Minister of Water and Irrigation of Jordan, H.E. Raed Abu Soud said: “Water is a national priority for Jordan. Joining the UN Water Convention will strengthen cooperation with our neighbors, allow us to exchange experience with countries facing similar challenges, and advance sustainable, climate-resilient water management to address the climate–refugee nexus for present and future generations. This effort also underlines Jordan’s commitment ahead of the 2026 UN Water Conference.”
“Jordan’s accession to the UN Water Convention sends a powerful signal of leadership in one of the world’s most water-stressed regions,” said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean. “At a time when climate change and rising demand are intensifying pressure on shared water resources, Jordan is choosing regional cooperation. The Convention offers practical tools to turn water scarcity from a source of tension into an opportunity for partnership, resilience, and peace-building.”
Jordan’s accession will contribute to advancing the implementation of the recently updated National Water Strategy 2023–2040, which sets out a long-term plan to tackle contemporary water challenges.
By joining the UN Water Convention and its community of practice, Jordan gains access to a global, legal and institutional framework for the equitable and sustainable management of domestic and transboundary waters. The Convention’s implementation will also support Jordan’s efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Jordan’s accession, reflects the significant expansion of the Convention, including in the Middle East, and draws on the positive experience shared by Iraq after its accession.
Regional partners such as the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), the Blue Peace Middle East, and the Water Diplomacy Centre provided support to the process.
For more information on the UN Water Convention see here.
Image credit: Angelica / stock.adobe.com
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