Israel, Jordan, UAE sign new MOU on deal to swap solar energy for desalinated water

Israel, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates signed a renewed memorandum of understanding on Tuesday regarding a UAE-brokered deal signed a year ago to have Jordan provide solar energy to Israel, and Israel channel desalinated water to the Hashemite Kingdom.

The MOU was signed in the presence of US climate envoy John Kerry at the UN COP27 climate conference in the Egyptian resort Sharm el-Sheikh, The Times of Israel reports.

Outgoing Regional Cooperation Minister Esawi Frej signed for Israel, backed by a team from the Energy Ministry led by director general Lior Shilat. Outgoing Energy Minister Karine Elharrar was not present at the confab.

Mohammad Al Najjar, the Jordanian minister of water and irrigation, signed for Amman, while UAE Climate Change and Environment Minister Mariam Al Mheiri signed on behalf of the Gulf nation.

The MOU pledges to continue "engaging to develop the necessary implements in plans in time for COP28," which will be held in the UAE next November.