Author: Fanack Water Editorial Team
In a move with major implications for water security and climate resilience in the Middle East, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) has announced a record-setting $6 billion package to support Jordan’s flagship Aqaba-Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. This is GCF’s largest single investment to date, reflecting both the scale of Jordan’s water challenges and the increasing urgency of climate adaptation across the region (GCF).
Why This Project Matters
Jordan is one of the world’s most water-scarce countries. Decades of drought, rapid population growth (fueled by waves of refugees), and stressed aquifers have left the country’s cities and farmers facing chronic shortages and rising costs. Traditional water sources—groundwater and the overdrawn Jordan River—are drying out. The capital Amman, with a population over 4 million, sometimes receives piped water only once a week (Reuters).
The new Aqaba-Amman project aims to change this trajectory. Once complete, it will use renewable-powered desalination on the Red Sea and move up to 300 million cubic meters of fresh water each year across more than 300 kilometers of Jordanian desert. The water will reach cities and farms that have struggled for years with shortages and rationing. A focus on climate-resilient technologies—solar-powered desalination and energy-efficient pumping—sets the project apart on a global scale (Al-Monitor).
The Scale and Structure of the Deal
The $6 billion commitment from GCF brings together grants, concessional loans, and risk-sharing arrangements from an international coalition including the European Investment Bank, World Bank, and regional development institutions. The deal is designed to catalyze additional private sector investment, offset upfront costs, and help keep water affordable for households and farmers.
Of the total, about $1.2 billion is direct GCF contribution—the largest in its history—signaling that climate adaptation in water-stressed countries is becoming a central pillar of international climate finance. Project leaders hope the heavy GCF backing will unlock $4–$5 billion in additional financing and technical support.
A Model for the Region?
Experts view the Aqaba-Amman project as a test case for MENA, where rapid urbanization and climate stress are forcing governments to find new water sources—and do so sustainably. Unlike older desalination projects, the Jordan initiative is closely tied to renewable energy expansion, green job creation, and environmental safeguards for the Gulf of Aqaba.
The project also includes advanced systems for brine management to reduce marine impacts, as well as opportunities for circular water use in agriculture and industry. With water and climate change now intertwined, this combination of finance, technology, and governance is being watched as a regional model (Reuters).
Risks and What’s Next
Despite its promise, Jordan’s new megaproject faces hurdles. Construction and operational costs are high, and the technical complexity of moving water over hundreds of kilometers in harsh desert conditions is daunting. Stakeholders will need to address affordability, environmental compliance, workforce training, and long-term resilience—including how project-related power and maintenance will be sustained in the face of economic shocks and cross-border tensions.
Still, few dispute the need for bold action. Jordan’s water table has dropped to crisis levels, agricultural output is threatened, and climate risks are only expected to intensify. The GCF deal sets a new benchmark for the scale and ambition of adaptation finance in the Middle East, offering a glimpse of how multilateral tools can help climate-vulnerable countries secure their future.