September 20, 2006 Dr. Munther Haddadin Launches "Water Resources in Jordan: Evolving Policies for Development, the Environment and Conflict Resolution" at Embassy of Jordan in Washington, D.C. Washington, DC, - In cooperation with the Resources for the Future Press, The Embassy of Jordan hosted the launching of a book by former Minister of Water and Irrigation, Dr. Munther J. Haddadin. The book entitled “Water Resources in Jordan: Evolving Policies for Development, the Environment and Conflict Resolution,” covers numerous topics such as the population-water resources equation in Jordan, institutional and legal frameworks as well as social and environmental issues. Together with other prominent Jordanian and international water professionals, Haddadin offers a first comprehensive multi-disciplinary book to address water policy in Jordan. It introduces the term “shadow water” to mean the scarce indigenous water resources that the import of agricultural and industrial commodities saves or replaces. This volume also brings into focus the water conflict between Jordan and its neighbors, primarily Syria and Israel. The book also shows how financially profitable it can be to treat water as a tradable commodity, to be exchanged peaceably across international borders. Haddadin, a recognized authority on water resources in Jordan and the region, has held many senior level positions related to Jordanian water policy, including president and chairman of the Board of the Jordan Valley Authority from 1982 to 1987, and Minister of Water and Irrigation in Jordan from 1997 to 1998. Haddain also headed the Jordanian team on water, energy and environment in the bilateral negotiations with Israel in 1991 to 1995. Mr. Haddain is currently a consultant and a courtesy professor in the Department of Geosciences at Oregon State University and an affiliate professor at the University of Oklahoma. The book launch marks the beginning of the Embassy’s cultural series for this fall. The Cultural Series organized by the Jordan Information Bureau, aims to introduce the Washington DC audience to the different aspects of the socio-political and cultural heritage of Jordan and the wider Arab Muslim world. To view the videos, pls. visit: http://www.rff.org/rff/Events/Issues-in-Water-Policy-Series-Launch.cfm