Israel, Jordan sign deal on rehabilitation of Jordan River

JERUSALEM, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Israel and Jordan signed on Thursday a deal to cooperate in the ecological rehabilitation and sustainable development of the Jordan River, said Israel's Ministry of Environmental Protection.

For years, the river has suffered from a decrease in precipitation and available natural water, and its state is expected to worsen because of climate change, said the ministry in a statement.

The two countries have agreed to construct wastewater treatment facilities, connect communities along the river to advanced sewage infrastructure, and treat other pollution sources, it said.

Rehabilitation of the river is an important goal for both countries because of its rich historical heritage and importance as a major tourism site, as well as its high ecological value, the statement noted.

The two sides also agreed to establish a regional research center for the river's rehabilitation.

The Israeli-Jordanian deal was signed during the ongoing 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh.