Category: General

Lower House Speaker Abdul Minim Odat, on Thursday, stressed that the Lower House deals with the Royal directives aiming at boosting our reform process in a way that reflects the national responsibility.

Odat made his remarks as he met, at the Lower House, with Chair of the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with the Mashreq countries (DMAS) Isabel Santos, in the presence of EU Ambassador to Jordan Maria Hadjitheodosiou and the rapporteur of the Lower House’s Foreign Affairs Committee MP Ayman Madanat.

Odat indicated that the Lower House is waiting for the draft constitutional amendments that the government will send and those related to drafts of the laws of local administration, election and political parties, stressing that the lawmakers will exercise their constitutional role with a high national responsibility.

Santos stressed that the EU Parliament will continue its full support for the social, economic and democratic reforms in Jordan aimed at enhancing the stability process in the Kingdom, praising His Majesty King Abdullah’s in achieving stability and security in the Middle East region.

Source: Jordan New Agency

Environment Minister Muayyah Radaidah, on Thursday, met with Chairman of Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) Andrew Forrest, on the sidelines of the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow.

The meeting came to announce the beginning of conducting studies related to production of green hydrogen and nitrogen in the Kingdom by utilizing solar and wind energy.

Radaidah stressed the importance of such project, which provides an opportunity for the Kingdom to become a leading country in the green energy sector, since the great capabilities that exist in Jordan pertaining to solar and wind energy.

For his part, Forrest highlighted the importance of a partnership, in this domain, with Jordan as a step towards reducing emissions and creating job opportunities.

He added that the only way to stop global warming is through practical and applicable solutions, noting that the partnership will play a key role in taking advantage of the great potential in the renewable energy sector the Kingdom has.

Source: Jordan New Agency

As climate change triggers deadly heatwaves, droughts and floods, three U.N. agencies on Wednesday rolled out funding plans to improve weather forecasting in vulnerable countries.

The initiative, announced at the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, aims to plug gaps in weather monitoring and data collection so developing countries can better prepare for possible climate-fuelled disasters.

Source: Jordan New Agency

Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO) has been elected to join three institutions affiliated by the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC).

This came during SMIIC’s 22nd meeting recently held in Al-Medina Al-Munawara, Saudi Arabia, with participation of 45 Islamic countries and several regional and international organizations.

JSMO’s Director General Abeer Barakat Al-Zuhair said that Jordan’s winning of membership in SMIIC’s councils for standardization, accreditation and administration promotes its position as a trusted source of standardization for the countries of the Islamic world.

SMIIC aims to stimulate cooperation and joint Islamic action in standardization activities; to promote economic and industrial growth and maximize trade interests between Member States.

Source: Jordan New Agency

Senate President Faisal Al-Fayez on Thursday discussed with Pakistani ambassador in Amman Sajjad Ali Khan ways to enhance Jordanian-Pakistani cooperation in various fields.

During the meeting, Al-Fayez affirmed the deep-rooted and strong ties between the two countries, which are based on mutual respect.

For his part, the ambassador praised the high level of Pakistani-Jordanian relations in various domains, indicating that his country is looking forward to building new investment companies with the Kingdom.

Source: Jordan New Agency

the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) commemorates a major milestone, marking 60 years since it was founded by President John F. Kennedy.

For six decades, USAID has built its reputation as the world’s leader in international development by partnering with countries around the world to strengthen communities and improve lives, the mission said in a statement.

The U.S. government has supported Jordan’s development for 75 years, providing Jordan with more than $17.3 billion in foreign aid since 1946. Today, the U.S. economic assistance program to Jordan is the largest in the world.

USAID works closely with Jordan’s government and people to support Jordan’s economic stability and security through programs that generate private sector-led growth, strengthen water security, advance accountable democratic governance, enhance the participation of women and youth in the economy and public life, and invest in education and health to leverage the potential of Jordan’s most important asset, its people.

USAID has directly supported a 40 percent reduction in infant mortality in the last twenty years, expanded equitable access to education for Jordanian and refugee students, and increased the availability of drinking water and improved sanitation for millions of Jordanians.

USAID has helped many Jordanian small and medium-sized businesses take advantage of trade opportunities under the Jordan-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which has increased trade between Jordan and the United States from $568 million in 2001 to more than $3 billion in 2019.

In July, the U.S government donated 500,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to Jordan reflecting the strength of the U.S.-Jordanian partnership.

USAID has partnered with the Government of Jordan to fight COVID-19 by training more than 16,500 health care providers to identify and treat COVID-19 patients, increasing PCR testing capacity from 5,000 to 65,000 tests per day, and launching communications campaigns that reached over 7 million people throughout the country to promote behaviors that limit the spread of the virus and increase demand for vaccines.

To support Jordan’s economic recovery, USAID contributed $40 million to the Istidama wage subsidy program to keep people employed during the pandemic and established a multi-donor fund that has raised over $100 million to bolster the National Aid Fund’s emergency cash assistance for Jordan’s most vulnerable populations.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

On the national antiCovid-19 vaccination program, Balbisi said that the number of first dose recipients reached about 4 million, while the number of two doses recipients reached 3.6 million.

The vaccination rate for the target group, he added, reached 60 per cent for the first dose, and 55 per cent for both doses, while the number of target groups over the age of 18 is 6.4 million people.

Balbisi urged people to receive the vaccine, stressing that reaching safety requires giving 75 per cent of the target group two doses of the vaccine, and that Jordan has 3.5 million doses of vaccine that are sufficient for until the end of this year.

On the third booster dose, Balbisi revealed that the ministry and the Epidemiology Committee debate to expand giving third dose to all age groups provided that they had received both doses 6 months prior, in order to enhance community immunity.

He said that those who received the vaccine, aged 12 to 17, reached 180,000, out of 1.3 million people, stressing that there is no obligation to vaccinate this group. He called on their families to approve of receiving vaccinations, pointing out that schools will require parents’ approval to give vaccinations to students, and to contact the ministry to reach the school and give the vaccine.

Balbisi called on citizens to adhere to preventive measures and distancing, following citizens’ negligence of these measures, calling on everyone not to pursue rumors and get news and information from its official sources, especially since the ministry will not hide any information about the developments of the epidemiological situation.

Concluding the interview, Balbisi disclosed that the ministry and the Princess Haya Center for Biotechnology at the Jordan University of Science and Technology and the Royal Medical Services are conducting genetic sequencing tests, to detect new genetic strains, stressing that no new strains have been recorded, as delta is still spreading in Jordan.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

Hajj and Umrah companies spokesperson, Kamal Abu Diab, said that resuming travels to perform Umrah by land will contribute to a decrease in trips costs and will increase citizens’ demand to perform Umrah, as the trip’s cost currently ranges between JD280 to JD300.

Abu Diab told Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the decision to resume Umrah trips by land will positively impact the land transport sector and Hajj and Umrah companies that have been suspended for nearly two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The high cost of air flights, which amounted to JD600, was the reason behind the low demand for travel to perform Umrah, he added.

He attributed the slight increase in the land trips’ prices to the new instructions issued by Saudi Arabia, which stipulate that housing should only be in double rooms, not quadruple rooms.

On Tuesday, the first visa for a Jordanian pilgrim was issued through land ports, as companies approved by the Awqaf Ministry began receiving citizens and exporting Umrah visas to them by land, Abu Diab noted.

He called on stakeholders to exclude Jordanian pilgrims returning by land from the Covid-19 “BCR” test, explaining that the Umrah trip days by land is 11, and that the government decision exempted those who received two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from conducting the “BCR” test if their trip lasted less than 10 days.

Abu Diab also called on citizens to deal with Hajj and Umrah companies approved by the ministry, and avoid dealing with brokers, pay them money and hand them passports.

SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah Tuesday visited the Sarhan District in Al Mafraq, where she met with local entrepreneurs and CSO’s implementing projects, including those funded through the community-based grant scheme supported by the Royal Hashemite Court.

Speaking to a group of small owners and civil society organization leaders, Her Majesty commended their dedicated efforts to uplift their community, describing their enthusiasm and willpower as undaunted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her Majesty made her remarks in a gathering at Sama Al Sarhan Sports Club, where she was received by Al Mafraq Governor Salman Najada, club director Abdullah Sarhan, and Jordan River Foundation (JRF) Director General, Enaam Al Barrishi.

Her Majesty thanked civil society associations working with the JRF to implement its projects in the area for making a genuine and tangible difference in people’s lives, underlining their crucial role in raising awareness about health and safety measures.

“We cannot downplay the dangers of the coronavirus, and I appreciate your role in educating the public and encouraging them to get the vaccine to protect themselves and their families,” she said.

During the gathering, the Queen was briefed on the status of a community-based grant scheme supported by the Royal Hashemite Court (RHC). Implemented by the JRF in coordination with 36 CSO’s, the RHC-supported scheme provides financing and business training to beneficiaries in Al Mafraq.

According to Barrishi, 200 families have received loans under the scheme in the last two years, and more than 70 permanent jobs have been created in the governorate.

During her visit to Sarhan District, Her Majesty stopped at Al Tawasol Association for Family and Child Development, where she was welcomed by the association’s president, Ms. Hajar Tweiresh.

Established in 2007, Al Tawasol aims to strengthen the social fabric of the Sarhan community, and to empower residents by building their capacities and providing them with economic opportunities.

During a tour of the facilities, Queen Rania observed an awareness session on COVID-19 and the importance of vaccination against coronavirus. She also stopped by UNICEF’s My Space facility, a safe space for engaging children between the ages of 6 and 18 and promoting their participation and socioemotional wellbeing.

Her Majesty also dropped by a number of other activities taking place at the association during her visit, including a session for mothers on early childhood development, a robotics training course for adolescents, and a tutoring session for schoolchildren.

She also visited a local shop for dairy products owned by Mr Shifa Sarhan, a young beneficiary who has secured a local grant to finance his small business that he is now looking to expand into a factory.

The JRF delivers necessary training and guidance to beneficiaries of the royal grant on how to create their own income-generating projects.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AGENCY

Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Wajih Owais, on Tuesday launched the international conference held by the Hashemite University (HU) in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture entitled “Jordan’s Image in the World in 100 Years”.

The 3-day conference will bring together 60 participants from intellectual, political, academic and research elites from all over the world, discussing major central issues that highlight Jordan’s images in the eyes of other, as well as visions of Jordan and its future

“We are entering the second centennial of the Jordanian state, looking at the world with its demographic changes, changes in the climate, water security, political and economic challenges, in addition to the acceleration in progress and technological development and the use of artificial intelligence,” Owais said.

“Jordan has made great achievements in the field of higher education and quality education, which we consider a bright image that reflects the secret of Jordan’s success and progress, enlightened by the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah and dialogues and discussions with specialists in the field of education to develop new methods in the types of quality education,” Owais added.

He noted that the ministry will start consolidating a matrix of programs and projects to improve the quality of education, stressing the importance of expanding vocational and technical education.

For his part, the HU President, Fawaz Zboun, said that while the Kingdom celebrates its second centennial, after its establishment a century ago, the Hashemites and Jordanians have established glorious and honorable state, which made science, thought and knowledge top priority.

Delegate of the Culture Minister, Adviser to the Minister, Ahmad Rashid, expressed pride in achieving a comprehensive national renaissance in all areas of life under the victorious Hashemite leadership, as Jordanians were able to build a secure and diverse state, achieve the principle of diversity and coexistence and build distinguished foreign relations with major countries of the world.

Nevin Mosa’ad, a participating professor from Cairo University, said, “We are witnessing a democratic experience, the core of which is the parliamentary ruling system that respects partisan pluralism and guarantees freedom of opinion and expression, while its safety pillar is the royal institution that guarantees historical continuity, embodies the will of the people and preserves diversity within the framework of unity.

Over the span of three days, local and Arab figures will highlight the Kingdom’s history, achievements and challenges over 100 years.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AGENCY