Mafraq, June 21 (Petra) -- University of Jordan President Nathir Obeidat inaugurated on Sunday a solar-powered water desalination plant in the Al-Khaldiyah area of the Mafraq Governorate, marking a milestone for an international climate and resource sustainability initiative.

The facility was established under the Global Center for Climate Change and Water, Energy, Food, and Health Systems project, a prominent international research and applied initiative funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Obeidat said the project reflects the university’s conviction that scientific research is the optimal path to addressing national challenges and shaping the future. He noted that water, energy, food, and health issues have become an interconnected system directly impacted by climate change, necessitating the development of innovative and sustainable scientific solutions.

The solar-powered desalination plant serves as a practical model for leveraging modern technology and innovation to improve quality of life, particularly given Jordan's growing challenges in water security, Obeidat added. He emphasized the importance of international scientific partnerships that bring together universities, research institutions, and funding bodies to harness knowledge for community development.

Obeidat stressed that the role of universities has evolved beyond education to include producing knowledge and delivering practical solutions for societal challenges. He commended the support of the NIH alongside local and international partners, adding that the project will form a foundation for new initiatives to bolster water, food, and health security while supporting community adaptation to climate change.

Project Coordinator and University of California Professor Wael Al-Delaimy said the installation of the plant was the result of close cooperation between academic and research institutions and local stakeholders. He revealed that the project began as an initiative by a local resident who donated a water well to establish the desalination plant for the community of Al-Khaldiyah, illustrating strong social responsibility.

Al-Delaimy explained that Jordan faces escalating water challenges due to limited water resources, population growth, declining rainfall, and climate change impacts. These factors have led to increased groundwater salinity and deteriorating quality, carrying significant health and economic repercussions.

Royal Scientific Society representative Moayad Al-Sayyed said the initiative sets a successful precedent for translating scientific research into development solutions that protect Jordan's water security. He outlined the society's role in providing technical and advisory support, evaluating plant performance, and developing an operational model to ensure long-term sustainability and impact measurement before replicating the experience in other regions.

Local Project Coordinator at the University of Jordan, Ahmad Al-Salaimeh, noted that the plant translates scientific knowledge into applied solutions that directly tackle the intersecting challenges of climate change, water scarcity, energy, and health.

Representing the local community, Mousa Al-Khalidi pointed out that Mafraq is among the governorates most affected by water scarcity and declining groundwater quality due to demographic pressures and environmental shifts. He noted that the plant will provide a safe and sustainable source of drinking water, improving life quality for local residents.

The broader international project aims to develop evidence-based, practical solutions to address the overlapping impacts of climate change on water, energy, food, and health systems, with a specific focus on rural communities and refugee camps. This supports national policies related to climate adaptation and security.

Jordan was selected as the launchpad for this global project due to the significant challenges it faces in its water sector, particularly in rural areas grappling with resource scarcity and rising groundwater salinity.

//Petra// AF