wcm.04.2025.734.741

Jordan faces a critical water shortage driven by rapid and uncontrolled population growth, regional instability, and the escalating impacts of climate change. Over the past century, the country has undergone a profound transformation in water resources management. This paper examines the evolution of Jordan’s water policy from a management and sustainability perspective, emphasizing its alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Through a qualitative review of legislative documents, national strategies, and academic sources, the study traces key milestones, including the establishment of the Central Water Authority, the
Water Authority of Jordan, and the Ministry of Water and Irrigation. The analysis reveals how adaptive management, integrated water resources management (IWRM) principles, and policy innovation have transitioned Jordan from fragmented to collaborative governance. Despite persistent scarcity, these reforms have strengthened institutional capacity, governance efficiency, and stakeholder coordination, advancing national progress toward SDG 6 and offering valuable insights for policymakers in other arid regions facing similar water security challenges.