Damascus, July 30 (SANA)Japan and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (U.N.-Habitat) on Thursday signed a $9.5 million agreement to support integrated urban reconstruction and strengthen sustainable solid waste management in the city of Homs, under the patronage of the International Cooperation Department at Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates.

The agreement was signed by Akihiro Tsuji, chargé d’affaires of theJapanese Embassyin Damascus, and Patrick Kanagasingham, regional programmes manager at U.N.-Habitat.

The project aims to support Homs’ urban recovery by rehabilitating the Old Clock Square and restoring its role as an economic and social hub, while upgrading the city’s sustainable solid waste management system.

The project also includes the rehabilitation and reorganization of 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 method, and providing waste collection, transport and maintenance equipment to the municipality.

TheFukuokamethod primarily refers to an innovative semi-aerobic landfill system for waste disposal.