Energy Minister Katz to Hold Talks in Abu Dhabi on UAE-Brokered Project With Jordan

Energy Minister Yisrael Katz traveled to Abu Dhabi Monday for a meeting with UAE Minister of Technology and Industry Sultan Al-Jaber, as well as Jordan’s ministers of environment, water, and energy. The primary topic of discussion will revolve around a water-for-electricity project facilitated by the UAE between Israel and Jordan. Under this arrangement, Israel will supply desalinated water in exchange for energy generated by solar fields in Jordan, which will be constructed by a company from the United Arab Emirates.

An updated memorandum of understanding, signed by the three countries last November, stipulates the necessity of achieving substantial progress by the upcoming COP28 conference, scheduled for November in Dubai.

This visit marks an important milestone as Katz becomes the first Israeli minister to visit the UAE since the formation of the sixth Netanyahu government in December.