USAID officially unveils Edama action plan

Supported by the USAID Jordan Economic Development Program (Sabeq), Edama team members produced the action plan which detailed the necessary steps that need to be taken in order to increase productivity in Jordan's energy, water and environment (EWE) sectors.

The commencement ceremony, which marks the beginning of the stage of implementation of the recommended actions, was held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Amman.

During the event, chairmen of the Edama Initiative task forces presented their respective team recommendations in the action plan in two sessions, being the result of months of hard work by the respective task forces, since the launch of the initiative in January of this year.

Regular meetings and discussions with public and private sector entities that are involved in the various task forces by virtue of their respective professions and careers in the renewable energy sector in Jordan formulated the Edama action plan. But the task forces' work is not mutually exclusive though, as it will require the participation of outside organizations when implementing the recommended actions.


The Edama initiative is a private-sector led initiative, which means 'sustainability' in Arabic. It is comprised of eight task forces whose participants represent a wide range of private and public sector institutions in Jordan. Their goal in Edama is to develop a comprehensive strategy that aims to enhance and develop the EWE sector in Jordan, with the objective of making it a regional leader in EWE productivity.

Dana Mansouri, the USAID Deputy Mission Director in Jordan, said:

"Developing solutions to the acute water and energy problems facing Jordan will provide excellent business and employment opportunities that should spur economic growth. We commend the private sector's efforts in creating Edama to focus on the business opportunities that will result from addressing these challenges."

In a press conference that followed the launch of the Edama action plan, Mr Karim Kawar, Initiative Chairman and private sector representative, alongside Sabeq's Chief of Party Mr Laith Al Qasem responded to questions from the media on finding alternative water sources and salination projects that the heavy cost of such projects in terms of establishment and energy consumption makes them a very expensive solution, drawing attention to the crucial need for us to return to methods our forefathers and mothers resorted to in order to save water and energy, such as collection of precious rainwater for use in the summer season.

They both reiterated the need for changing mindsets and attitudes towards solving the country's acute problem of energy and water consumption that are adversely impacting the environment.

Mr Kawar informed journalists that a new Edama Association has been established which will take it upon itself to follow up on the action plan, and publish its recommendations and results of specialists' revisions towards fulfilling the overall goal of increased productivity in energy, water and environment sectors.