Amman-AlBaqaa
The Director General of NARC, Dr. Nizar Haddad, welcomed a delegation comprising a number of experts from the Italian Institute for University Cooperation as part of the ENI CBC “Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme” project, with the participation of 7 countries around the world.
Haddad defined the importance of this visit as a preliminary step to discuss cooperation opportunities between the two parties to promote joint collaboration in relevant fields. He also stated that this joint collaboration comes in line with the strategy of NARC through the optimal exploitation of natural resources to achieve sustainable development.
'The use of water for irrigation purposes in the Mediterranean countries constitutes more than 70% of the water consumption, which results in a water deficit situation due to population increase and climate change. This scenario requires new improved and sustainable solutions that guarantee more efficient use of water through cooperation with local and international partners, and today's meeting symbolizes this partnership'. Haddad said.
Dr. Luna Al Hadidi, Head of Irrigation Water Management Research Department and Coordinator of the project, said that this visit came as a continuation of the joint cooperation to achieve the objectives of the project, which will be implemented at NARC to increase the efficiency of water use, promote cross-border capacity building, develop roadmaps and plans to improve water management based on project results, enhance public-private cooperation, encourage investment and upgrade proposed solutions.
Project Director Qorrado Castello of the Italian Institute for University Cooperation, appreciated the role of NARC in the focus and attention given on the issues of the region and its research attempts to find solutions, addressing the technical and professional capacity NARC has, boosted with the interest of donors and their confidence to implement pioneer projects that serve the agricultural sector through NARC.