June 10, 2024 – The Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation signed loan and project agreements with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for the construction of West Irbid wastewater treatment plant for a total value of USD 19 million.

The agreements were signed by Zeina Toukan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, and Ms. Sue Barrett, the EBRD’s Director of Infrastructure in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), in the presence of Dr. Heike Harmgart, Managing Director for the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Region at the EBRD, and Ms. Gretchen Berry, Head of the EBRD’s Office in Amman and the in charge of the EBRD's operations in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Minister Toukan indicated that the financing for the plant project aims to support the wastewater networks currently being constructed by sustainably establishing and improving the wastewater system in West Irbid, providing sanitation services to neighbouring towns and villages. The Minister added that the EBRD has mobilized a grant of USD 8 million for the project from the United Kingdom under the High Impact Partnership on Climate Action (HIPCA), along with an investment grant of EUR 2.75 million from the European Union, bringing the total project funding to approximately USD 30 million. The agreements for those grants will be signed later.

Furthermore, Minister Toukan indicated that the Construction of West Irbid Wastewater Treatment Plant Project, which will be constructed and operated over four years, complements and is linked to the ongoing (West Irbid Wastewater Networks Project), funded by a loan and grants from the EBRD amounting to approximately EUR 53 million. The agreements for the West Irbid wastewater networks project were signed with the EBRD in 2017 and 2018, to improve wastewater systems in 17 villages in West Irbid, serving approximately 200,000 people. The new plant's total capacity is 12,000 cubic meters per day. Additionally, the treated wastewater will be used for irrigating agricultural lands surrounding the plant and nearby areas.

Minister Toukan expressed her gratitude to the EBRD for supporting Jordan's developmental priorities and providing financing for this project, praising the strong partnership and cooperation with the EBRD since 2012.