[18/10/2026 01:52]

AMMAN - SABA
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Fisheries Salem al-Soqatari and Minister of Water and Environment Eng. Tawfiq al-Sharjabi participated today, Sunday, in the opening of the operational and technical mission of the Water and Irrigation Management Improvement Project in Yemen for sustainability and efficiency (I-WISE), held in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

During the period from October 18 to 22, the mission, with the participation of representatives from the World Bank Group, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and a number of relevant national institutions, will discuss the operational, technical and institutional aspects of the project, the preparedness requirements for implementation, identifying priority interventions, and strengthening coordination between national institutions and international partners.

This aims to support the development of the irrigation sector, improve water use efficiency in agriculture, develop agricultural information and data systems, and enhance their use in planning and decision-making.

Al-Soqtri accentuated that the project represents a strategic investment in developing the irrigation sector, boosting agricultural production and food security and improving the living conditions of farmers and rural communities.

For his part, al-Sharjabi announced the actual start of the first phase of the multi-phase program (MPA), stressing that it represents a cornerstone for the national response to shared challenges in the water and agriculture sectors, following the integrated water resources management approach from source to outlet.

The first phase targets the Tuban Delta and Wadi Hajar areas, and includes the governorates of Aden, Lahij, al-Dhale'e and Hadhramaut.

The priorities of the second phase include the seawater desalination project for the city of Aden, in partnership with the World Bank Group and the Green Climate Fund.

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