Ministry of Agriculture: Slaimiya discusses with the French Development Agency the expansion of the use of treated water in agriculture and the strengthening of water security in Palestine.

• Slaimiya: Reusing treated wastewater is a priority for enhancing water security and expanding the water sources available for agriculture.
• Strengthening institutional support and developing technical and administrative capacities to ensure the sustainability of water projects.
• Discussions held on completing the feasibility study for a treated wastewater reuse project in Hebron, with preparations underway to secure funding from the Green Climate Fund.

Ramallah: October 20, 2026

Minister of Agriculture, Professor Rizq Slaimiya, met with a delegation from the French Development Agency to explore ways to strengthen cooperation on water, sanitation, and treated wastewater reuse projects. These efforts aim to expand water resources for the agricultural sector, improve water resource management, and enhance resilience against water scarcity and climate change.

The meeting took place between Minister Slaimiya and a delegation led by Margot Chinal, Head of the Water and Sanitation Division at the french agency’s headquarters. Also in attendance were Deputy Minister Eng. Badr Al-Hawamdeh; Director General of Water Eng. Yaqoub Zaid; Director General of Planning Eng. Maram Sawalha; Director General of International Relations, Public Relations, and Media Eng. Mahmoud Fatafta; Director of the Treated Wastewater Reuse Department Eng. Imad Khalif; Director of the Agricultural Water Department Eng. Safinaz Badr; and Director General of the Minister’s Office, Ms. Diana Elian.
Slaimiya emphasized the importance of projects involving the reuse of treated wastewater as a key strategy for addressing the challenges of water scarcity and climate change, while expanding the water sources available to farmers. He underscored the necessity of developing alternative water resources, improving the efficiency of water use, and increasing the application of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of investing in capacity building, knowledge transfer, and the development of technical expertise.

Slaimiya added that promoting the use of treated wastewater in the agricultural sector serves as a vital pathway to confront water scarcity and climate change, while broadening the water options for farmers. This, in turn, contributes to better water resource management and strengthens both water and food security in Palestine. He stressed the importance of fostering a partnership with the French Development Agency , finalizing the necessary studies and preparations for proposed projects, and building technical and institutional capacity to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives and deliver a tangible impact on the agricultural sector.

The meeting addressed "SHAJAR" project, which aims to reuse treated wastewater in the area surrounding the regional wastewater treatment plant in Hebron Governorate. Discussions focused on completing the feasibility study and the preparations required to draft a funding proposal for the Green Climate Fund (GCF), as well as addressing the institutional, technical, and administrative requirements essential for the project’s long-term sustainability and operational effectiveness.

Additionally, both sides explored ways to strengthen institutional support for the "WaDIS" program, enhance coordination among relevant institutions, and bolster the technical and administrative capacities of the involved stakeholders. The goal is to ensure that infrastructure projects are well-integrated with the requirements for sustainable operation, maintenance, and management. The meeting emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and the French Development Agency to develop sustainable water projects, expand the use of treated wastewater for irrigation, and strengthen the agricultural sector’s capacity to address the impacts of climate change—thereby supporting the resilience of farmers, contributing to the protection of natural resources, and enhancing water and food security in Palestine.