Hebron Mayor and Head of the Southern West Bank Joint Solid Waste Management Council Mr. Khaled Osaily met on the 18th of December with Mr. Ibrahim Dajani, Senior Operations Officer at the World Bank, Mr. Mario Zelaya, Environmental Specialist for the Solid Waste Management Project at the World Bank and Mr. Peter Cohen, Social Development Specialist/Consultant at the World Bank. The meeting aimed at discussing work progress at the West Bank Solid Waste Management Project which is mainly funded by the World Bank, as well as at preparing for the signing of a Complementary Project Agreement next Monday.

 The meeting was also attended by Eng. Yasser al Dweik, Executive Director of the Higher Council for the Management of Solid Waste in Bethlehem and Hebron Governorates.

Osaily briefed his guests about the Solid Waste Management Project and progress in the building of a central landfill and relevant facilities which shall serve Hebron and Bethlehem Governorates, saying that this project has reached an advanced stage.

 “Cooperation in the execution of a number of joint projects between Local Authorities in the two Governorates on the one hand and the World Bank on the other highlights that working as one team, perseverance and the genuine will to serve Palestinians and to provide them with a healthy and sound environment are vital to ensuring project success. We look forward to more cooperation and to additional vital projects that would serve Palestinians and improve their daily lives.

 We hope that the World Bank will provide the necessary support to these projects just like the generous support it provided to the Southern West Bank Solid Waste Management Project”, he said.

Participants discussed means to improve solid waste collection and transport as well as to reduce relevant costs for partner municipalities. They highlighted the importance of engaging the local population and raising their awareness in order to provide them with the best services at a lower cost.

 The meeting also discussed means to improve the collection of waste fees as well as private sector participation in the recycling and reusing of solid waste with a view to enhancing environmental awareness and highlighting the importance of solid waste management. It is to be noted that the Joint Services Council is about to sign an agreement with ICF to examine private sector engagement in this field. This study would highlight the importance and benefits of engaging the Private Sector and the impact thereof on the public interest.

At the end of the meeting, participants visited the Project’s site to get better acquainted with work progress in the field.