Damascus, July 30 (SANA)Japanand theUnited NationsHuman Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)signed a $9.5 million agreement on Thursday to supporturban recoveryand improve solid waste management in the central Syrian city ofHoms.

The agreement was signed by Akihiro Tsuji, Japan’s Chargé d’Affaires to Syria, and Patrick Canagasingham, Head of the Regional Programmes Unit at UN-Habitat, under the patronage of Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates. The signing ceremony, held at the ministry in Damascus, was attended by Youssef Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Local Administration and Environment for Environmental Affairs.

The project aims to support Homs’ urban recovery by rehabilitating the Old Clock Square and restoring its role as a commercial and social hub, while establishing a more sustainable solid waste management system across the city.

The initiative includes rehabilitating and reorganizing markets surrounding the square, strengthening the municipality’s capacity in public communication and service management, rehabilitating the city’s main landfill using Japan’s Fukuoka landfill management method, and supplying the municipality with waste collection vehicles, equipment and maintenance support.